A resolution adopted by Athletics South Africa (ASA) over the weekend, which forces the organisers of the Comrades and Two Oceans ultra-marathons to hold half-marathons in the future with exactly the same prize money, was confirmed by ASA’s incumbent CEO, Linda Ferns, on Tuesday.
Ferns, who takes over from Baneli Sindale as CEO on April 1, said the resolution was passed on Saturday and will be circulated on Tuesday.
Commenting on the ASA decision, Two Oceans chief organiser Chet Sainsbury said: ”Is this an April fool’s joke? I would have thought that something of this nature would have been discussed with the organisers first.
”If we already make R1-million available for prize money, we will have to double it all of a sudden. What will our sponsors say?”
Meanwhile, Ferns also confirmed the suspension of the entire Eastern Province athletics management team, as well as the expected announcement that Absa will continue its sponsorship of South African track athletics after its contract expires.
”I am very optimistic that South African track athletics will get a big sponsor next year,” said Ferns. — Sapa