Kiwi runner cops death threats for speaking out
New Zealand runner Zane Robertson said he has been threatened to be ‘‘necklaced’’ after speaking out about doping in Kenya.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist over 5000 metres is prominent on social media in his criticism of drugs in athletics and the lack of real action from officials to fix the problem.
In an interview to be aired on Newstalk ZB on Sunday afternoon, the 26-year-old who had spent years in Kenya said he can’t name people or countries specifically because of death threats.
‘‘One of [the threats] was from a Kenyan. He said he was going to put a tractor tyre on me and set me on fire. That was just one of them,’’ he told the radio sta- tion. ’’I have been close to [doping].
‘‘I can’t name people or countries because I had some death threats a few months ago just for even mentioning the topic around the area. I don’t want to get killed for doing what is right or speaking up but I feel Twitter and social media are a place I can do that.’’
’’The more athletes who speak out on the topic, I feel they will put pressure on these big governing bodies or federations to crack down on it and actually do something about it.
‘‘These guys are obviously very proud of their athletic achievements and what they have done as a country. It’s that whole pride that sets them back. They are willing to win at any cost and willing to defend themselves at any cost. It’s a dangerous environment to be in.’’
Formerly from Hamilton, Robertson and his brother Jake moved to Kenya over a decade ago in their quest to become top-class middle distance runners. He now lives and trains in Ethiopia and will contest the 10,000 metres at the 2016 Rio Olympics which starts next week.
He said he’s never used or contemplated taking drugs to improve performance.
‘‘I was approached once in 2007 by someone in Kenya but, as you can see in my results over the years, I was nowhere. As a youth growing up in New Zealand with sportsmanship and general morals, you can’t consider that. It’s not something normal for us.
‘‘[The approach happened] really early on. It was kind of weird. I had never experienced anything like that before..’’