SASCOC includes Jo-Ane du Plessis in the Operation Excellence Programme

The initiative is designed to support athletes with the potential to qualify for or reach the finals at major international championships.

Last year, the 27-year-old secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics despite funding her own preparations.

“Jo-Ane made history by missing out on OPEX selection based on her performances in the lead-up, and yet she still qualified for the Paris Olympic Games and delivered the best throw of her career,” Hendricks told SABC Sport.

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“Had she achieved that distance earlier, she would have been included in the programme.”

SASCOC and Athletics South Africa came under fire for excluding the Olympic silver medallist from the OPEX programme, with public pressure mounting for the organisations to reimburse her and her family for the expenses they covered during her qualification journey to Paris.

However, SASCOC chief Hendricks said they addressed the matter and fully explained to the athlete and her family how the OPEX system operates and why she was initially not included.

“We followed up on everything, and it wasn’t a case of SASCOC failing the athlete. She wasn’t part of the OPEX programme because of the agreed-upon distances and criteria.

“Unfortunately, she won’t be reimbursed for the money spent, but the encouraging part is that she understood it wasn’t anyone’s fault. It was simply the process that was in place, and she’s now part of the programme on merit,” Hendricks explained.

Van Dyk has secured her place at the upcoming World Senior Championships in Tokyo, Japan, where she is considered a strong contender for a podium finish.

However, SASCOC president Barry Hendricks is confident in her ability to deliver. “She’s in the programme and performing well.

“She even won a medal at her most recent event. She knows how to handle pressure, and we fully support her—we’re not concerned,” said Hendricks.