KZN ATHLETICS DEALS WITH COMRADES CHEATS
KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) has completed the initial investigations into alleged cheating in this year’s 2022 Comrades Marathon.
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 to allowing other athletes to run with their race bibs, and providing incorrect qualification information.
These athletes are being sent official communication and will be given seven days to respond to the KZNA notification. Should the athlete dispute the findings, KZNA will undertake a formal disciplinary hearing.
Some athletes are charged with multiple offences, some of which originated in qualification or other events and will be disciplined on each offence.
Athletes accepting the findings have been informed of the discipline procedures, to be applied.
These 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.
Additionally, the runner will be required to return the 2022 Comrades Marathon medal/s.
Each athlete will be reported to their province and their club both of whom have the right to apply additional disciplinary measures.
Similarly, Comrades Marathon Association will be informed and have the right to prohibit these athletes from entering and running the Comrades Marathon for a number of years.
KZNA President Steve Mkasi said: “As the provincial athletics body in KwaZulu-Natal, we would like to send a clear message to athletes to desist from cheating in any form.
“These investigations are in line with us standing up for the rules of the sport and not condoning cheating in any form.
“The charges relate not simply to the Comrades Race, but to the information provided at time of entry, and qualification. The technical officials have been and will continue to be rigorous to ensure offenders are caught and appropriately disciplined.
“With Comrades about to announce the 2023 entry date, we urge all athletes to respect the rules of all road-running events in which they choose to participate and to furthermore uphold the reputation of the sport of athletics.”