In a Paris Olympics laden with unexpected twists, Team South Africa’s Jo-Ane van Dyk clinched a silver medal in javelin throwing, delivering a surprising boost just when her nation needed it most. On the final day of the athletics events at Stade de France, Van Dyk not only scored South Africa’s first field event medal of these Games but also complemented the men’s 4x100m relay team’s silver from the previous evening.
Van Dyk, a 26-year-old from Heidelberg, secured the silver with a throw of 63.93 meters on her third attempt, trailing Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi, who clinched gold with 65.80 meters. This medal was South Africa’s sixth at the Games, adding to an impressive tally of one gold, three silvers, and two bronzes.
Despite signaling her competitive form with a personal best of 64.22 meters in the qualifiers, Van Dyk’s performance in the finals took everyone by surprise. “I dreamt about it, [but] I didn’t expect it,” she expressed, reflecting on her achievement. “I hoped for it and I’m still amazed. I know what the other girls are capable of; in throws, it’s up until the last throw, so you can’t be sure of anything. It was only when the fourth girl threw that I knew I was in the medals and I was like: ‘Woah! I have a medal!’”
The evening was emotionally charged for Van Dyk, who shared, “It was a crazy night, just seeing everyone in the crowd… I haven’t seen my fiancé cry, almost ever, he cried. I haven’t seen my father cry, except maybe once or twice, he cried. I’m just happy for our country and I’m happy for the team.”
Van Dyk’s journey has been marked by consistent improvement, a theme prevalent in elite sports. The World Junior Championships silver medallist in 2018 and a two-time African champion, she showed signs of her rising trajectory with a 10th place finish at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.
In addition to Van Dyk’s success, South Africa celebrated its sixth medal at the Games—a tally that doubles their achievement from the Tokyo Olympics. These Games also marked notable performances from other athletes, including the historic silver by the men’s relay team and a hopeful yet ultimately unfulfilled run by the 4x400m relay team. Despite the challenges, Team South Africa’s campaign in Paris ended on a high note, with Van Dyk’s unexpected silver highlighting their resilience and competitive spirit.
News24
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