Lifeline for top athletes

Athletes in the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s Operation Excellence programme were thrown a lifeline yesterday when the body said it would not cut their funding until they had returned from international competition.

This was after Sascoc had announced that all athletes affiliated to Athletics South Africa (ASA) would be stripped of their financial support because the national athletics body had been suspended from its list of recognised members at the weekend.

Sascoc president Gideon Sam said the committee did not want to leave the athletes overseas without support, and their funding would be cut only when Sascoc felt it was reasonable to do so. “We are dealing with them on an individual basis,” said Sam.

According to ASA athlete and development manager Hezekiel Sepeng, tier one athletes Anaso Jobodwana, Khotso Mokoena, Lehann Fourie, Sunette Viljoen, and Willem Coertzen were all abroad.

“As a former athlete, this is a sad story. I never thought it would come to this stage,” said Sepeng.

Sascoc’s decision to exile ASA also means athletes will not be able to compete in International Olympic Committee-sanctioned events – a big blow for those looking to secure sponsorship said Sepeng. “

We have to sit down and sort this out… The athletes don’t need to suffer,” said Sepeng.

The Department of Sport and Recreation has continued to remain mum on the matter. - The Mercury