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
ADVERTISING SALES Richard Laskey 083 342 8200 / richard @ modernathlete. co. za Celia Lightley 076 490 6652 / celia @ modernathlete. co. za
MARKETING MANAGER Aurelia Masino Aurelia @ modernathlete. co. za
SUBSCRIPTIONS & DISTRIBUTION info @ modernathlete. co. za
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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