Still no competitions for athletes
Many of Brakpan's athletes continue to train on their own but the question of when they will be able to compete again is a difficult one to answer.
Athletics South Africa (ASA) recently announced that it will not be hosting any events until the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture decides it is safe to do so.
“After careful consideration, the ASA Board are of the view that the Covid-19 virus infection rate is still on the rise, and the risk of our athletes getting infected and the grave consequences as a result of the infection, are very real,” said ASA president Aleck Skhosana.
“The ASA Board has decided that, instead all effort must be concentrated in making sure that not a single life of an athlete, coach, support teams, event staff, volunteers and all involved, is lost because of Covid-19. We value every life. And that, to ASA, comes first.”
While many sports stars in South Africa have been allowed to get back to training, they are still unsure of when they will be allowed to compete again.
The outbreak of Covid-19 has caused many of the traditional big events to get cancelled.
Races such as the Comrades and Two Oceans Marathons did not happen this year, leaving local athletes not knowing when they will be able to show off their talents again.
They can, however, still train and look to get in shape for when they are allowed to compete again.
ASA advises and encourages only the use of private facilities because they have cover.
“We have many other professional and non-professional athletes, some of whom are domicile in areas or come from impoverished communities, where they are far from medical centres.
“They too must be equally protected from infections and from possible death,” said Skhosana.
The Olympics, which were originally scheduled to take place this year, were postponed to next year and athletes with aspirations of competing at the global showpiece have been encouraged to keep training.
“With regards to the athletes on the Olympic squad, due to the individual nature of athletics, the athletes on the Olympic squad do not prepare for the Olympic Games from a central venue,” said the ASA president.
“Given that the sport of athletics is technical in its nature, athletes and their coaches and support teams, will require access to municipal stadiums on an individual basis, where access operate under terms of the by-laws of the local government.”
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Thelma Koorts (editor) brakpanherald@caxton.co.za
or Stacy Slatter (news editor) stacys@caxton.co.za
 or Miné Fourie (journalist) minev@caxton.co.za
Remember to visit the Brakpan Herald on the following social media platforms:
Follow us:
