Comrades athletes probed for cheating: 9 runners identified
KWAZULU-Natal Athletics (KZNA) says the pressure of completing the ultimate race and having the most finishes could be the main motivation that leads to cheating in the Comrades Marathon.
KZNA vice-president Mandla Mngomezulu was commenting after the completion of investigations into misdemeanours and cheating in this year's race that may see nine runners disqualified from this year's event.
KZNA announced yesterday that it had completed initial investigations into alleged cheating.
The implicated athletes were being sent official communication and would be given seven days to respond to the KZNA's notification.
Mngomezulu said should the athletes dispute the findings, KZNA would undertake a formal disciplinary hearing. “To date nine athletes stand to be disqualified from this year's event.
“The majority of misdemeanours relate to athletes not running the entire 90km course, but also allowing other athletes to run with their race bibs, and providing incorrect qualification information.
“Some athletes are charged with multiple offences, some of which originated in qualification or other events and will be disciplined on each offence.”
Disciplinary measures include, but are not restricted to; being removed from the 2022 Comrades Marathon Results, a period of suspension from all Athletics events, forfeiture of previous events where they have been found to breech athletics rules.
In addition, the runner will be required to return the 2022 Comrades Marathon medal.
While the identities of the nine runners were not disclosed, Mngomezulu confirmed that none of the runners being investigated were elite or top runners and all are local runners.
Each athlete would be reported to their province and club both of which have the right to apply additional disciplinary measures. Similarly, the Comrades Marathon Association will be informed and have the right to prohibit these athletes from entering and running the Comrades Marathons for a number of years.
Asked about the motive for cheating, Mngomezulu said motives would always remain speculative. The Comrades being an esteemed race, meant many runners may want to cheat to stay on the roll of being a “Comrades finisher” while others want to reach 10 finishes, he said.
“There are many perks that come with receiving your green number which you only get after you complete 10 races. Most athletes look forward to that and any unexpected circumstances like injury or illness could prevent them from reaching their goal and lead them to finding other means of tackling the race.”
Cheating was not new; there were always “chancers” but this year's number was higher than usual, he said.
There was a move to clamp down on these activities. In some cases they get away with it due to a lack of sufficient evidence. “By clamping down on cheating athletes we restore the integrity of the sport and send a message to others who may want to go this route.
“Cheating also causes the race to lose out on many sponsors and ultimately it affects people's livelihoods.”
KZNA president Steve Mkasi said they wanted to send a clear message to athletes to desist from cheating.
“These investigations are in line with us standing up for the rules of the sport and not condoning cheating. The charges relate not simply to the race, but to the information provided at time of entry, and qualification.”
The KZN Department of the Sport, Arts and Culture commended the KZNA for its swift attendance to the allegations. “Cheating has no place in sport. It is unsportsmanlike for any athlete to partake in mischief that often alters the result and robs the fans of a fair sporting experience. We support the rooting out of corruption and fraudulent activities by those athletes who create a bad name for others.”