Accra: South African sprinter, Marlie Viljoen has acknowledged the challenging conditions at the ongoing African Championships but says athletes have had to adapt as organisers continue to improve the situation. Speaking after her event, Viljoen admitted the environment has not been ideal, although she believes progress has been made in recent days.
According to Ghana Web, Viljoen expressed her understanding of the circumstances and the efforts made by organisers to enhance the conditions for athletes. 'You know, I don't have a problem with it. It's the same for everyone,' she stated. While the initial conditions were not optimal, Viljoen noted significant improvements over the past few days, particularly in areas like hospitality.
The South African athlete praised the recent enhancements in the quality of food provided to competitors. 'The food last night was amazing,' Viljoen added, highlighting the organisers' commitment to improving the athletes' experience.
Despite concerns raised by several athletes and officials during the championships, Viljoen emphasized that competitors are all facing the same circumstances and must remain focused on their performance. 'This is Africa, we're all going through the same thing. The circumstances are the same for everyone. So, I just try to cancel that out and get to that start line,' she said.