EDITOR ’ S LETTER Ma
PUBLISHERS Mike Bray & Craig Van der Westhuizen DIVISIONAL HEAD Richard Laskey richard @ modernathlete . co . za CONTENT MANAGER Roxanne Martin roxanne @ modernathlete . co . za
Images : Courtesy Sean Falconer
Never Too Old to Learn
This month I had the honour of interviewing not only Olympic gold medallist , World Champion and World Record Holder Wayde van Niekerk , but also met his now world famous coach , 75-year-old Tannie Ans Botha . While I decided to hold Wayde ’ s interview over for a future edition , I have written the Living Legend piece this month on Tannie Ans , and what a fascinating chat I had with her !
Ans has met with incredible success with Wayde , even though she openly admits that she uses old fashioned , tried and trusted old-school methods . That includes simply banging two little wooden blocks together to teach her athletes to keep rhythm . Her success is a clear reminder to us all that sometimes tried and tested methods are best , no matter what new-fangled or high-tech options may be available to us .
Nevertheless , she told a story about going to the 2015 World Champs in Beijing and using it as a learning opportunity . Take note , she was 74 years old at the time , was already in her 48 th year of coaching , and her focus was on making sure Wayde was in peak shape and mindset to go after the World Champs title . Yet there she was , in the official warm-up area , in close proximity to the coaches of international superstars such as Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin , and she was observing and learning at the same time , making mental notes about things to take back to Bloemfontein and use with her training group .
“ They say you ’ re never too old to learn , especially in athletics . Well , this was all new to me , and an amazing experience ,” she told me . “ I only ‘ stole ’ coaching ideas with my eyes . If I saw something that I thought would work on my athletes , I would try implement it . That ’ s how I always try to bring something new into our training . It ’ s important that the athletes enjoy training .”
Besides thoroughly enjoying my chat with this incredible woman , I came away from the interview feeling more motivated than ever , not just in my running , but overall . After all , if a 75-year-old who has conquered the world can still live her live with an attitude of always looking to learn and grow , then the rest of us should take a leaf out of her book and do the same . Because you are indeed never too old to learn . So whether its to do with your training , nutrition , gear or racing choices , make sure you keep an open-mind and keep a lookout for new things that could benefit your running .
NOT THE WEAKER SEX
Another inspirational woman that caught my eye in this edition is mountain biker Ariane Luthi ( page 46 ), who decided to stand up for women ’ s equality this past month by boycotting an event that pays the top women less prize money than the top men , ostensibly because of the smaller size and lesser quality of the women ’ s elite group . I recall this being an issue in trail running just a few years ago , with similar debates and boycotts , and I recall several organisers changing their policy – because increasing the prize money would naturally incentivise more top women to participate , or motivate more mid-level athletes to aspire to reach the elite level , thus growing the sport and improving the profile of that event . Thankfully this issue was quickly addressed in trail running , and I hope that will also be the case in mountain biking .
Sean Falconer
Follow me on Twitter : @ sean _ falconer Follow the mag as well : @ modern _ athlete
EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR Sean Falconer seanf @ modernathlete . co . za RACE EDITOR Kyle Deeley kyle @ moderncyclist . co . za DESIGNER Caroline Collings caroline . collings @ gmail . com INTERNS Rachel Pienaar rachel @ moderncyclist . co . za
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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Regulars : Christine Peters , Delaine Cools ( Comrades ), Derick Marcisz , Ernest Hobbs , Jeannie Jordaan , Kyle Deeley , Leonie Mollentze ( Two Oceans ), Nonkululeko Mdlalose ( Comrades ), Norrie Williamson , Pierre Ferreirra , Rachel Pienaar , Ray Orchison , René Kalmer , Riël Hauman , Roxanne Martin , Sean Falconer , The Gentleman Racer , Tom Cottrell Guest Writers : Des Harris , Frank Meaker , Gontse William Mfete , Janeane Watt , Lizette Du Plessis , Sihle Beauty Malinga , Yagyah Francis
COVER IMAGE Jetline Action Photo
IMAGES Photo Agencies & Professional photographers : Cape Town Sport Photography , Chris Hitchcock , Fotolia , Greg Beadle / Beadlephoto . com , Jetline Action Photo , Newsport Media , Reg Caldecott , Tobias Ginsberg , Volume Photography , Wessel Oosthuizen / SASCOC Images Non-professional photographers : Aurelia Masino , Des Harris , Estelle Kock , Mogamat Shahmieg Allie , MyPhotoCorner , Rene Scott , Sean Falconer , Tarig Lameen Courtesy : Ans Botha , Buks van Heerden , Christo Lourens , Comrades Marathon Association , Derick Marcisz , DTT athletes , Gerhard Erasmus , Hayden Nesbitt , IAAF , Jeannie Jordaan , Jeneane Watt , Joshua Gavronsky , KFM , Lucky Mohale , Mohlapa Mogowe , Naomi Janse Van Rensburg , Nolan Hoffman , Paul Murphy , Pearl Sikoe , PUMA , René Kalmer , Roxanne Martin , Sbongiseni Skosana , The Gentleman Racer , Tumi Matlou , Two Oceans Marathon , Vicki Hicken , Wikipedia , Twitter , and various Race Organisers , Athletes & PR companies
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WINNERS ’ CORNER
Congratulations to all the winners of our February edition competitions .
HAVE YOUR SAY Win adidas Supernova Glide Boost running shoes for the winning letter Bailee Coetzee , Cape Town
ATHLETES IN ACTION Win New Balance Fresh Foam trail running shoes for the winning photo Deidré Taljaard , Cape Town
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