Sliep, a former Hoërskool EG Jansen teacher and trainer, is a 38-time South African biathlon champion, who has won the event 38 times consecutively.
Biathlon includes an 800m track run and a 100m swim.
As a result of his outstanding exploits in George, Sliep (70) was included in the South African Modern Pentathlon Association (Sampa) team that will represent the country in Viverio, Spain, from September 20 to 24.
The biathle event is a derivative of modern pentathlon where competitors race in a continuous run-swim-run event with distances varying depending on age groups.
Triathle is also a derivative of modern pentathlon involving a continuous shoot-run-swim event with distances varying depending on age. In the shooting part of the race, athletes shoot at electronic targets with laser pistols.
“It’s always nice to do well, especially if you’ve been working hard towards it,” said Sliep on his victory in George.
“It’s a big privilege and I’m blessed to be still doing this. I’m confident; I’ve been training very hard.”
Sliep trains at least six days a week and his training time span is between four to six hours daily. His regimen consists of running, track work, swimming and sometimes cycling.
“There’s always a reward for hard work.
“This is what I used to tell all my athletes that I’ve trained: discipline is important in any sport. If you want to become a national and/or world champion, you need to be disciplined and sacrifice a lot.
“To me, the coaching was about giving back to the sport. I’ve travelled the world and met beautiful people with the sport of athletics. What I’ve got in my life I have to thank sport for that.
“Everything I’ve achieved wouldn’t have been possible without the hand from above,” said the IAAF coach, who’s coached from the age of 25 when he started his teaching career.
Sliep flew out of the country on Sunday, September 17, and is expected back in the first week of October.
He also paid tribute to friends and family for their support. – @SabeloBoksburg
