WATCH | 2024 Paris Olympics: Africa’s only woman triathlete - 'I'm going to do my best'

CAPE TOWN - It’s all systems go for South African triathlete Vicky van der Merwe who is slated to competes in the triathlon at the Olympics in Paris on Wednesday.

This follows organisers giving the women and men's triathlons the go-ahead following water tests on the Seine. 

Speaking to Eyewitness News at her final swimming practice in South Africa, van der Merwe said: "I'm very excited and I'm ready to soak it all in and give it everything I've got."

The triathlon, which tests endurance, consists of three sporting disciplines: a 1.5km swim, a 40km cycle and a 10km run. 

Van der Merwe’s sporting career started in high school. She took up swimming and later made the top 10 for running at an inter-house meeting. Thereafter, she combined cycling upon receiving advice from a friend who was a triathlete. 

The athlete has since racked up a few sporting titles. Van der Merwe is, among other things, a 2023 double African Triathlon champ in the sprint and Olympic distances, African Games champ, and a three-time World Biathlete champ. 

She also triumphed in the 2022 Africa Champs, the Walker Bay Xtreme Big 6, the Torpedo SwimRun, the Caveman Triathlon and the African X trail run.

'IT WASN'T EASY'

But the journey as an elite athlete wasn’t always smooth. 

“The years, especially after school, I really struggled with health issues, injuries, I had hip surgery so there was a lot physically, mentally, emotionally. My twenties definitely weren’t easy,” she said. 

Eventually, she took a break and started her business Stellenbosch Triathlon Squad that offers training for triathletes at any level. 

The Olympics Games, however, still lingered at the back of her mind. 

Despite withdrawing from elite-level racing for eight years, van der Merwe said it had always been a childhood dream to compete in the international sporting event. This prompted her to gear up for qualifiers shortly after her son was born. 

“I’ve gotten really close before, I’ve been there as a reserve and I’ve competed in the Olympic test event, and I believe everything happens for a reason,” she said. 

Now that she’s in Paris, the athlete said the goal is to remain focused and do what she enjoys the most - while representing her country and the continent. 

“We are 55 women racing, I’m the only South African and African girl,” she said. 

Van der Merwe shied away from playing open cards about her goal, saying she would throw her full weight into the race as the only woman competing from Africa. 

“I’m one of two moms competing, so for me it’s a little bit different to someone doing it fulltime but I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been. I’ll be happy if I execute my potential,” she said.