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Cape Town - South Africa's former Olympic silver medallist, Elana Meyer, has had a tough start in her quest to finish this year's Absa Cape Epic mountain bike tour.
She fell and hurt herself during the first stage in Robertson on Monday, sporting a few red scratches on her shoulder, a bandage on one arm and a fair amount of bruising.
But Meyer told the Beeld newspaper giving up is not an option as she is riding for the kids of the JAG foundation.
The JAG foundation inspires South Africa’s disadvantaged children to build a positive future for themselves, their families and their communities, by encouraging them to participate in various sport-related programmes.
"I'm doing it for the kids from the JAG foundation. Every day that I survive in the Cape Epic, helps me collect more money for the kids," said Meyer.
Meyer has never participated in a mountain bike race. "I specifically chose something I'm not very familiar with. I knew I would suffer, but at least it's my choice.
"Those kids have gone through much tougher things without having a choice in the matter.
"Therefore I just have to stick it out. It will really be special for me if I can finish the Epic on Sunday."
Meyer said she can't remember much after twice falling on Monday.
"The route is very technical. You have to keep your head the whole time; otherwise the chances are good that you can fall.
"What makes it tough is that in my whole sport career I never did something which lasted for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes," said Meyer, referring to her career as a long-distance international athlete.
Meyer won a silver medal in the 10 000m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Elana Meyer (Karin Schermbrucker/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS)
She fell and hurt herself during the first stage in Robertson on Monday, sporting a few red scratches on her shoulder, a bandage on one arm and a fair amount of bruising.
But Meyer told the Beeld newspaper giving up is not an option as she is riding for the kids of the JAG foundation.
The JAG foundation inspires South Africa’s disadvantaged children to build a positive future for themselves, their families and their communities, by encouraging them to participate in various sport-related programmes.
"I'm doing it for the kids from the JAG foundation. Every day that I survive in the Cape Epic, helps me collect more money for the kids," said Meyer.
Meyer has never participated in a mountain bike race. "I specifically chose something I'm not very familiar with. I knew I would suffer, but at least it's my choice.
"Those kids have gone through much tougher things without having a choice in the matter.
"Therefore I just have to stick it out. It will really be special for me if I can finish the Epic on Sunday."
Meyer said she can't remember much after twice falling on Monday.
"The route is very technical. You have to keep your head the whole time; otherwise the chances are good that you can fall.
"What makes it tough is that in my whole sport career I never did something which lasted for more than 2 hours and 30 minutes," said Meyer, referring to her career as a long-distance international athlete.
Meyer won a silver medal in the 10 000m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Elana Meyer (Karin Schermbrucker/Cape Epic/SPORTZPICS)
