Athletes on your marks, get set for action
WAYDE van Niekerk on a track in Potchefstroom next month? That could be a possibility following yesterday’s announcement of the return of athletics in South Africa.
In a statement yesterday morning, governing body Athletics South Africa announced that “training and controlled competition activity” will resume from November 1 following the Covid-19 lockdown, and it will be reviewed at the end of December.
A maximum of 500 athletes and officials will be allowed at events, including track and field, road running and trail running competitions, but with no spectators.
Many top athletes, such as long jump star Ruswahl Samaai, have complained about the continued delay for athletics to be staged in this country, as well as for athletes to train.
Samaai, Wayde van Niekerk, Akani Simbine, Antonio Alkana and others had to fly to Europe to compete in events over the last few months, as local athletes were not allowed to utilise any facilities in South Africa.
Athletics SA president Aleck Skhosana said strict protocols will be in place for athletes at official events, which will be mainly provincial meetings between November 1 and December 31.
Athletics Central North West president Jean Verster is expecting some big names to turn out at the first meeting in Potchefstroom on November 3.
“By the end of next week, we will know for sure who will participate when. I haven’t spoken to Akani (Simbine) yet, but I know Wayde also wants to come. I am not sure yet about Caster Semenya.”
The manager of Simbine, Samaai and Van Niekerk, Peet van Zyl, told Independent Media that he was glad local athletes could get back onto the track, but wasn’t sure whether the stars would participate.
“Why would they want to run or jump now, when they have just got back from Europe? We never usually run this time of the year,” Van Zyl said. |