At the time of writing, we are just 45 days away from the biggest sporting competition on the globe. Jo-Ané van Dyk sits across from me during our video call, lips neatly covered in a ruby-red lipstick, waxing lyrical about the many things that still need to happen before the 2024 Olympics – and after. “At the moment I’m writing exams, there’s training in the mornings and schedule-wise, we have the African Championships coming up. Then, there’s the possibility of two Diamond Leagues but I’m still waiting to hear about that. Then, we go into training camp on the 22nd of July. And I’m getting married in October. I’m trying to schedule those things as well and get that in order,” she finishes off with a laugh.
We’ve only just begun our interview and I’m already overwhelmed by the sheer volume of commitments (Olympic Games and a wedding – in one year!). But to Jo-Ané, busyness is not just typical, it’s what she prefers. In fact, she’s lamenting the difficulties of adjusting to her new normal: having too much time. “Now that I’m a full-time athlete and part-time student [Jo-Ané is currently studying towards a diploma in coaching science at North West University], I have a lot of free time and it’s quite difficult for me,” she explains. “Sometimes I wait until 15 minutes before starting [to get ready], just to get some adrenaline from being in a rush,” she laughs.
GOING THE DISTANCE
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Esta historia es de la edición July - August 2024 de Women's Health South Africa.
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