THE Athletics South Africa rigging scandal broken by the Mail & Guardian last week was followed up by the rest of the media. Officers of ASA went on radio to defend themselves against the charges. The following are some extracts from the broadcasts:
* “I haven’t read the article from this morning.” – Bernard Rose, chief executive officer of Athletics South Africa (ASA) referring to the Mail & Guardian report accusing the federation of attempting to rig races
* “I just don’t understand the purpose of the [Mail & Guardian] article, other than as a personal vendetta against ASA. It staggers me that someone writes this.” – Stewart Banner, chairman of API Sponsorship (Pty) Ltd which manages Sepeng
* “[It is] a discussion, a proposal document. Which is exactly what his [Sepeng’s] management asked us to do, put down our thoughts.” – Bernard Rose on the Sepeng contract
* “It is illegal, it is against the law and it is immoral.” – Sydney Maree, former 1 500m world record-holder, on the Sepeng contract
* “[We will] ensure that in future nothing of this sort happens. Even as an idea. We won’t even think of ideas like this.” – Banele Sindani, secretary general of ASA on the Sepeng contract
* “Well I don’t think really we are now going on a witch-hunt as to who was responsible for it. Every company has got people who are responsible for whatever.” – Banele Sindani
* “The manipulation that is implied behind the scenes by this contract is extremely worrying. Because if your top athletes are being potentially exploited and abused and having these kind of pressures put on them one wonders what is going to be happening to the lessor athletes who possibly do not have the bargaining power that a man like Hezekiel Sepeng has. It is of grave concern to anyone who loves athletics.” – Richard Meyer, founder member of Interim Athletes’ Liaison Committee
* “It’s not a contract.” – Bernard Rose
* “It was drawn up, yes, we’re not denying that.” – Banele Sindani
* “Does ASA, who you represent as secretary general, condemn this sort of thinking; the sort of thinking that says an athlete should run sub-standard times?”
“Well, an idea is an idea. An idea is an idea.” – Exchange between radio host Will Bernard and Banele Sindani