Marathon athlete accompanied by armed bodyguard
A video of a heavily armed male bodyguard accompanying a female marathoner during a marathon in Vanderbijlpark has the internet buzzing.
VANDERBIJL PARK. – On the video you can see how the guard with what looks like a gun runs after a female athlete as if he is protecting her.
You then hear a spectator call out: “Gunman, we see you!”
The video was apparently taken on Sunday (September 3, 2023) during the Vaal River City Marathon at the Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark.
The athlete appears to be wearing the colors of the Fat Cats Athletics Club.
It appears on the face of it that the athlete and her helper are in breach of ASA’s rules on helping athletes (“seconding”).
It is also unknown whether it is a registered bodyguard.
Vaalweekblad understands that the athlete is from Athletics Gauteng Central and that the incident is being investigated by the athletics body.
Apparently, the athlete did not ask permission in advance from the organizers.
At one stage she was also accompanied by vehicles.
*Vaalweekblad is trying to find out more about the incident and will provide a more detailed report later if we have more information.
