The Tuks long jumper, Jovan van Vuuren, can undoubtedly relate to the lyrics of Bob Dylan's famous song "Blow in in the wind". 

So far, he has competed twice this season. The first time at Tuks, he jumped 7.97m and recently in Potchefstroom 8.07m. Result wise it should have been the third and second-best performances of Van Vuuren's career. But it is not. The wind turned out to be a factor on both occasions. So nothing is official. 

The positive Van Vuuren can take from his heroics is that it seems he is on the verge of becoming a consistent eight-metre jumper. It is just a question of when it will happen. 

Dylan sings, "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind."

Neil Cornelius, who coaches van Vuuren, is slightly bemused when discussing how the wind has so far affected their quest to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

"The reality is that windy conditions are part and parcel of athletics. There is nothing you can do about it. I am still excited about Jovan's performances. In 2019 when he set his personal best of 8.10m, he opened his season with a jump of 7.70. 

"This season, he has started by jumping 7.97m. Three weeks later, he improved by 10cm in far from ideal conditions. The wind swirled around continually in Potchefstroom. It meant Jovan had to keep his wits about him. Apart from his 8.07m effort, he also jumped 8.05m and 8.02m."

For now the Tuks athlete is happy. He admits to being slightly nervous in his latest competition.

"When I lined up for my first jump, I felt like a 'dog that is released from a cage'. I was raring to go-over eager. It led to me overstepping with three of my attempts. It is not the only mistake I made. There is a lot I need to work on before I get to execute that perfect jump-qualifying for the Olympics."

According to Van Vuuren, last year's COVID-19 pandemic lockdown gave him a new perspective on why he does what he does. 

"I have started to appreciate the simple things that go with the sport, like just being back on track again. I also regained my passion for athletics. I can't wait to go train. The last time I felt like this was when I was at primary school.

"Another good thing that came about from the lockdown is that Neil made me put in long and hard hours in the gym. It was crazy at times. We also got to focus on the small things that we usually neglected. It is those things that can make a three four-centimetre difference when it matters."

Van Vuuren will compete at the upcoming Gauteng North Championships and then the South African Senior Athletics Championships. He would have loved to have had more opportunities, but due to the pandemic, there is still a lot of sport uncertainty. 

"As an athlete, you are on a continuous emotional rollercoaster ride, never really knowing what is going to happen next. That is why I am going to compete at both championships as if it is my last."