“Yes, I am. I’m definitely playing. It’s a great honor and great privilege to represent your country in the Olympics,” laughed Jaco Van Zyl.
Reached Tuesday afternoon at his home in South Africa, the 37-year-old was still processing how his world had changed in the last 10 hours, but he certainly understood why he needed to be asked if he planned to play this year’s Olympics.
Van Zyl is likely headed to Brazil to represent South Africa at this year’s Games, an option he had never even considered before the eventful last few days.
“I really didn’t think I would [qualify for the Olympics],” Van Zyl admitted.