MIKE FINCH, Johannesburg | Thursday 3.00pm.
OLYMPIC 800m silver medallist Hezekiel Sepeng can compete in the world athletics championships in August despite not fulfilling criteria laid down by the sports’ national federation.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) announced at a news conference on Thursday that Sepeng had been fined R25000 for failing to attend the national championships, R10000 of which is suspended for 12 months.
According to ASA selection criteira, Sepeng should have been ineligible for selection for both the world championships and next year’s Olympic Games, but after a disciplinary hearing it was found that extenuating circumstances had existed.
Sepeng had apparently written a letter to ASA president Leonard Chuene on February 17 asking to be excused from the world championships in Seville to allow him to concentrate on the Sydney Olympics.
”This constituted extenuating circumstances,” ASA secretary general Banele Sindani said. ”Hezekiel aplogised to ASA at the hearing and showed remorse for his action and his willingness to be selected for the world championships.
”When we told him that he had put his Olympic place in jeopardy he was shocked.”
Sindani said the decision to allow Sepeng a second chance was not a case of bending the rules.
”Yes, we have our rules, but we’re here to punish, not to destroy,” Sindani said. ”I think the fine is sufficient.” — Reuters