Have Your Say
Got something on your mind that you want to share , a burning question you want answered , or a good story to tell ? Then send it to letters @ modernathlete . co . za , and add a pic if you can . Letters should preferably be no more than 300 words long , and pics should be high-resolution . ( Note that letters may be shortened due to space limitations .)
EDITOR ’ S PICK
SUPPORT OOM OWEN VAN NIEKERK
Oom Owen van Niekerk is a legend of South African Athletics . In his younger days he was a South African champion and record holder in the triple jump and decathlon , and he has been coaching since 1952 , being awarded national colours multiple times as an athlete , administrator and coach . He has coached more than 600 South African champions and many South African and African record-holders .
Owen is passionate about the development of young athletes and despite his advanced age and failing health , can still be found on the track most days , dedicating his time and knowledge to athletes . But he needs our help ! Unfortunately , due to circumstances , he has fallen on hard times . Now a ripe 86 years old and suffering from severe diabetes , he simply cannot risk being exposed to COVID-19 . As a result , he and his wife Maryna , also a former athlete and active coach , have been unable to earn a living for months now , and they have been living off their savings , but with no end to the pandemic in sight , their finances are under severe strain and they are facing a dire situation .
Maryna was the South African and African record holder in the long jump , and she improved the South African record on eight occasions , won 13 SA long jump titles , five pentathlon- and heptathlon titles , six relay titles , as well as medals in 100 meters and 200 meters at South African championships . After an illustrious competitive career , she has devoted more than 20 years of her time to coaching children .
So many people we know are struggling due to the pandemic , but this is close to home for the athletics family – and in this community , we take care of our own . I am therefore calling on my fellow athletes and the athletics community to lend a hand with paying for Oom Owen ’ s monthly medication and some of his and
THERE ’ S MORE TO COMRADES …
During the television broadcast of the Comrades Marathon , I ’ m thinking that since the media typically only shows the public the footage of the start , Drummond , Polly Shortts and finish areas , it would be nice to see some photos of the unseen areas in between that we as runners experience . Unfortunately , the televised footage does not do justice to the whole picture of this awesome race ! – Marius Strydom , Germiston
SABC Coverage of the Comrades start
Maryna ’ s basic living expenses . Join me in assisting this man who has done so much for athletes and athletics .
You can make a contribution via www . backabuddy . co . za / oom-owen-andmaryna , and all contributions will go toward Oom Owen ’ s medical and basic living expenses . Thank you ! – Desiré du Plessis , Johannesburg
At the time of writing , I see this fundraising campaign had raised over R68,000 , having set an initial target of R30,000 , so thank you to all the athletes , past and present , who have already made a donation . It is heart-warming to see so many people willing to help a beloved coach , and I hope several more donations will still come in thanks to this letter being published here . – Ed .
While you make a valid point about there being a lot missed by the television broadcast , the broadcast team is very much limited by the cost and availability of cameras and crew , and needing to set up camera points before the race , due to the complicated set-up requirements and massive traffic issues on race day that prevent cameras being moved . That said , I also think broadcasters could lift their proverbial game by embracing new technology and platforms , and thinking outside the traditional box , and hopefully the next time we have a Comrades Marathon , we will see something new ! – Ed .
TO BETTER DAYS …
A year ago , our bad luck in 2020 all started at the Beachcomber 15km , which ended up being controversial due to certain shenanigans . A couple of weeks later , the Wind struck at Bay to Bay . Then a virus came along and all running events stopped . Here ’ s hoping for a better 2021 for us all . – Nizaam Cariem , Cape Town
Images : ABPhotoZA , Pixabay , Wendy Khalanga & courtesy Bookpeddler , Comrades Marathon , Desire Du Plessis , Jeppe AC , Milton Kekana
We did manage to get some races in 2020 where everything went smoothly , but you ’ re so right , it has been a horrible year
6 ISSUE 137 JANUARY 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za