Viljoen garners support for Sascoc barbs
Administrators call accusations lies, attacks Olympian’s attitude
OLYMPIAN Sunette Viljoen seems to have garnered support on social media, following Tuesday night’s Twitter rant criticising the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), hours after team SA’s return from Rio de Janeiro.
In a series of tweets, the silver medallist accused Sascoc of failing to provide adequate support for the athletes in the run-up to the Rio Olympics.
The javelin thrower tweeted: “I have spoken out numerous times the past few years about the lack of support for SA’s athletes. I really have nothing more to say. “If there’s one organisation that needs urgent investigation, it is Sascoc. Start with R70 million donations by the Lottery two weeks before Rio.
“Last #funfact for today. Had to pay out of my own pocket for my Olympic kit to be adjusted by a tailor because sizes were not taken.”
Viljoen also threw a jibe at the federation’s president. “Sascoc president Gideon Sam says he promised on 10 medals and he delivered. #Teams Arrival #teamSArise.
“HE delivered? What did he deliver? If only the truth was known.”
Yesterday, social media users showed support for the Olympian. Among them was sports journalist Graeme Joffe, who tweeted: “Huge respect for standing up for what is right & still able to deliver Olympic silver. Now Mbalula & co will love you! “
Another person, @BrianTsabadi, asked: “Always complaining must mean there is something to complain about! Has Sascoc even denied claims?”
@Bongo Muffing questioned Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, who had earlier said Viljoen “complains too much”.
@Rara_Mgij commended Viljoen for speaking out, saying “Your courage will be noticed” while @ChelseaUp2Date urged sprinter Wayde van Niekerk to join Viljoen.
DESPITE being accused of “abusing” and “lying” by South African sports officials, Olympic medallist Sunette Viljoen has not backed down on her assertions that she and other athletes are treated shabbily.
After Gideon Sam, president of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), and Fikile Mbalula, the sports minister, had handed over cheques and posed with South African medal winners on Tuesday, Viljoen hit out at the state of the team kit, the much- criticised team tracksuits and questioned when they would receive their bonuses.
Yesterday, the silver medallist in the javelin took to Twitter once again to voice her displeasure.
“If you train six days a week for four long years and then eagerly open your Olympic kit only to be let down so bad ... it’s heartbreaking,” tweeted Viljoen, pictured.
“Just to confirm: I am NOT speaking out only for myself but for the hundreds of other talented athletes who never get a cent of support. Last tweet. I am always the only athlete speaking out and that does not help our cause. I cannot fight alone anymore. Or perhaps I am the only athlete with bad experiences with sports administration. Who knows. But I doubt it.”
She received some support from LJ van Zyl, the 400m hurdler, who tweeted that he had had to sell his cell phone “just to help cover some costs for my Rio prep. So don’t feel alone.”
Tubby Reddy, Sascoc CEO, told TV station eNCA yesterday that Viljoen, who had gone public about her battles to secure finances from Sascoc before the Games, was not telling the truth.
“She can lie if she wants to lie.
I have proof that Sascoc has spent close to R1-million on Sunette, who is an unbelievable athlete,” said Reddy.
Mbalula, who blocked Viljoen on Twitter after the two had had a fall out on the social media network, was reported by City Press as saying that Viljoen “complains all the time (and has) a lot of negative energy. I prefer to ignore her tweets.
“Despite everything, she will always bring a negative spin to it. Go check her track record.
“I even twared with her sometime back. It is not worth it, honestly… In less than a week, watch the space. She’ll be demanding the incentives. She’s abusing us a lot.”
Viljoen said that “most of the athletes left their hideous kits behind in the Olympic village” and took exception to Sam’s claim at the arrival function on Tuesday that “he” had delivered on his promise of bringing home 10 medals from Rio.
“HE delivered? What did he deliver? If only the truth was known … Money again promised the medallists. Hope to see it within the next year. The begging is set to begin.”
Viljoen also called for an investigation into the finances of Sascoc, who had to be bailed out by the Lotto just before the Olympics.
“If there’s 1 organisation that needs urgent investigation, it is Sascoc. Start with R70 million donation by the Lottery 2 weeks before Rio (sic).”
In June, Viljoen told The Star that she had not received money from Sascoc’s Opex (Operation Excellence) programme since February.
“I have broken ties with them because they have been a stumbling block more than anything else.
“I am receiving no financial support from them at the moment, and I am tired of begging and pleading.”
Viljoen did not return home with Team SAas she is competing in the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.