Paralympic star Ilse Hayes is over the moon after being awarded the Order of Ikhamanga by President Jacob Zuma, for her courageous and relentless pursuit of excellence, and incredible physical endurance.
National Orders are bestowed on individuals who have made a positive and meaningful contribution to the country’s social, economic and political advancement.
Speaking shortly after arriving home in Cape Town, Hayes said: “It is a real honour to be selected, and when you hear about stories and the work done by the other recipients, you realise how fortunate you are to have been selected.”
Hayes is a visually impaired athlete, who has already won medals in three different disciplines across three Paralympic Games.
Having claimed a bronze medal in the T13 category of the 400m in 2004, she claimed gold in the long jump and silver in the 100m in 2008, as well as gold in the long jump and silver in the T13 category of the 100m, at the 2012 London Paralympics.
Hayes and her husband of three years, Cassie, joined a distinguished crowd at the Presidential Guesthouse on Freedom Day for the annual event. She was very complimentary about the experience of being at the ceremony in Pretoria.
“The ceremony was at the Presidential Guesthouse and the arena was packed with dignitaries and media. It was a traditional ceremony with the SABC choir performing, as well as an orchestra band of the military.
“There was also a reading by school children where each child read the different awards in each of the official languages of the country, which just highlighted the fact that although we have such a diverse culture, that we are all proud South Africans.
“There was a great dinner function afterwards, where we made some new friends!”
Hayes is self-motivated, which she believes to be her key to success. “I don’t need much motivation to wake up in the morning to train, or to go the extra yard whilst training.
“Its stems from a great amount of self-discipline, and always knowing clearly what my goals are. My faith in God has also helped me throughout my career to grow as an athlete, as well as a person.”
She counts her first gold medal in the Long Jump – in Beijing – as her greatest career highlight, but also reflects fondly on her gold medal in the Long Jump in London last year, despite competing with a torn quad.
“Challenges will always be part of any sporting career or in daily life whether disabled or not. I have learned to be patient given my visual disability, and have always believed that God won’t bring something across your path that you can’t handle.”
Her advice to budding sports stars is to be focused, train hard and be prepared for the big moment.
“Sport is a journey which will certainly take you to highs and lows, and keeping your mind set on what you want to achieve is critical. Always maximize your training sessions in order to gain confidence for the actual event – it’s pulled me through on more than one occasion.”
Hayes is determined to remain injury-free for the rest of 2013, after being kept away from the track for some time this year. She is also hoping to medal in her mains events, 100 Metres and Long Jump, at the upcoming World Championships in France in July.
Long-term, Hayes has her sights on Rio 2016. It will be her fourth Paralympic Games. “What I’ve learned from previous Paralympics is that time really flies, and that you can’t be complacent given the fact that 2016 seems far away.
“It will be my fourth Paralympics – and probably my last, so I can really give it all in the build-up to Rio!”
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