SPORT MAN
SAYS sport man says by MANFRED SEIDLER
Right Way to Return to Racing
While there is constant discussion on how to get road running going again , specifically to get mass participation events back on the calendar , I think we are missing a vital step here . In order for the sport to survive , we first need to take care of our elites .
The COVID pandemic has devastated not just lives , but also livelihoods .
The economy has suffered tremendously , and no industry has been left untouched , including our beloved sport of athletics . For most of us , the impact on our lives of the sport being shut down , was that we simply could not run our favourite races , nor meet our mates for a post-race coffee to share our ‘ war stories .’ But the lockdown has had a sometimes devastating effect on not only clubs and event companies , but even more so on those who make a living from the sport , the elite athletes .
Effectively Unemployed
No racing has meant little or no income for many of these athletes , because they rely largely on prize money at races to earn a living . Thankfully , the pro clubs have been a saving grace for some elites , with Murray & Roberts , Nedbank , Entsika , Boxer , Maxed , Phantane and Hollywood Bets continuing to pay full retainers . This has been a huge relief for the racing snakes in those clubs , but it is simply not sustainable .
There are roughly 150 athletes countrywide on these retainers , and they are effectively employees of these clubs , being paid , on average , a retainer of around R10,000 per month . That means that for almost a year now , these clubs have collectively been paying around R1.5 million a month to employees who are unable to ‘ work .’ However , the pro clubs ’ sponsors are answerable to their shareholders or stakeholders , who will likely be asking hard questions as to why money is being “ thrown at something that is not happening right now .”
From what I have heard , all these pro clubs are working off the same budget as in 2020 , which means no increases for 2021 , and while some clubs have announced a few new signings in recent weeks , that has virtually come to a halt . The word now is that if there are no races by June , then some very hard decisions will need to be made ... but if we start ‘ retrenching ’ our best athletes , where will our core teams come from when international competition restarts ?
Elite Racing Must Return
Many in the sport are focused on getting the sport moving again by trying to reopen mass participation road running events , but I think in order for the sport to survive , we first need to take care of our elites . Many will disagree , arguing that the masses keep the sport alive , but while that is partially correct , it ignores the impact the front end of the race has on the sport .
We have some big races in this country , but those races cannot survive without sponsorship , and most sponsorship comes thanks to the front end , not from social runners . No elites means no TV , and much less other media coverage , and therefore no sponsorship . Contrary to popular belief , the coverage of a race is not built around the back end of the race . That side of the race does offer up some amazing stories , but it does not warrant the coverage these races receive . It is because of the elites .
Furthermore , the SABC is Athletics South Africa ’ s largest source of income by far , and with no events of national interest , there is no SABC money being pumped into the beleaguered national federation . And the reality is that without the federation ’ s survival , there will be no racing for the masses either . It is a knock-on effect . So , logic dictates that elite racing needs to return before mass participation , and eliteonly events around the world have shown that it is very doable .
Success Stories
The London and Valencia Marathons , Delhi Half Marathon and the World Half Marathon Championships have successfully gone the elite-only route , as has the Marathon Project in the United States . Back home , Central Gauteng Athletics recently held a very successful Cross-Country Champs , and let ’ s not forget the Cape Town Marathon last October , with three simultaneous races around the country . The common denominator ? An enclosed racing area with small numbers of elite athletes , officials and media , with full access control , making it easier to implement COVID-19 safety protocols .
The important thing to remember is that events need to be of national interest for the SABC to merit giving them coverage , so right now , I believe the easiest and best way to ensure that would be for ASA to put on a national series of shorter events . These 5km or 10km races would provide more frequent racing , which in turn would provide the SABC with regular content of national interest , while giving sponsors return on investment and athletes the opportunity to earn a steady living . And that could then be used to build up to longer distances , and eventually larger fields .
About the Author
Manfred Seidler is a freelance sport journalist who has been in the industry since 1994 , in both print media and broadcasting , covering four Olympic Games for SABC Radio , and producing various athletics shows for the SABC . Follow him on Twitter : @ sportmansa ; Facebook : Sport Man SA ; Instagram : sportman _ sa .
Images : Rogan Ward & Tobias Ginsberg
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ISSUE 138 FEBRUARY 2021 / www . modernathlete . co . za