SASCOC’S Response to Sunette Viljoen’s Statements
September 16, 2015
SASCOC wishes to express its extreme surprise and disappointment at the statements made by Sunette Viljoen in the media regarding the functioning of SASCOC (see athlete’s article in Rapport here).
As a seasoned sports campaigner, SASCOC would have expected Viljoen, more than anyone else, to have approached us if she had any specific complaints or grievances or had experienced less than satisfactory service from any SASCOC officials. Furthermore, Viljoen is aware of all the processes and procedures available to her in the event that she believes she has been prejudiced or her ability to perform or participate has been negatively impacted upon.
It is therefore inexplicable why Viljoen chose the route of the media instead of firstly approaching her federation, Athletics South Africa, and secondly, SASCOC.
Viljoen’s desire to be the champion of voiceless athletes rings hollow as she has been unable to provide any substantive evidence of what she believes is a concerted attempt to prejudice her participation at events. On the contrary, what SASCOC has done is to ensure that at every event supported by SASCOC, that Ms. Viljoen participated in, SASCOC has gone out of its way, through its Operation Excellence Programme, to provide full support – financial and material – so that she is in a position to bring back a medal.