Prinsloo’s rocky road to the Olympics

Top South African long jumper, Lynique Prinsloo had to battle more than just the qualifying criteria to make her Olympic dream come true.

Having suffered chronic back pain for three years, the road to her best form and, ultimately, selection for the Rio Olympics team, was a long and winding one.

“It took me seven years to be where I am today. It doesn’t just happen overnight,” said the 25-year-old who grew up in Springs.

“One must never be discouraged. Every setback requires a comeback and one must make sure it’s a good one.”

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) student, who has competed for the national team at international and continental level since 2008, said Rio would undoubtedly be the highlight of her career. “My lifetime goal and dream came true.

“I had to sacrifice so much to be selected for this team, but it made giving up all those things worth it.”

Prinsloo, who divides her time between Joburg and Pretoria, believes she has a good chance of achieving the Olympic benchmark of 6.70m after teaming up with UJ coach Emmarie Fouche this year.

She did so in dramatic fashion when she leapt to a season’s best of 6.78m on her last attempt at the SA Student Champs in May this year. Her next goal is to make the final at the Olympics, where she said anything could happen.

Prinsloo admitted that being a student-athlete was not easy. Luckily for her, she said, the university supported her academic and sporting ambitions. “Being in contact with your lecturers does help a lot, especially when I’m overseas,” said Prinsloo, who is majoring in physical education and psychology.