VANDERBIJLPARK.- Medelye stroom in nadat Pete van der Merwe, die stem van padwedlope in Suid-Afrika, die naweek skielik oorlede is.
Noem maar die wedloop en marathon en daar is s ‘n sterk moontlikheid dat Pete die statistiek en atlete op die punte van sy vingers ken.
Plaaslik het hy jaarliks tydens die Sasol en Vaal Marathon die atlete oor die wenstreep verwelkom. Hy het as kommentator ook sy stem en uitgebreide kennis by atletiekbyeenkomste laat geld.
Op sosiale media getuig sy Facebook muur van die impak wat hy op sy medemens en sport gehad het. Hiernaas is ʼn paar van die plasings op sy Facebook muur:
Baie sad nuus. Pete van der Merwe is laasnag oorlede. Ou vriend, jy gaan baie gemis word deur 1000de atlete en vriende. Jy was knap met jou werk. Baie dankie RIC Pete. – Henry Marais
Woke up with very sad news this morning. Heaven has gained a legend and a legacy has been left behind here on earth.
Oom Pete van der Merwe as a 15-year-old triathlete you welcomed me for the first time over a finish line. Since that day you built an amazing bond with me and my family. You always made the time to share some powerful knowledge in the running industry and we somehow reflected on the amazing Energade series memories.
I will always remember you as the human who believed in me as an athlete, you showed me the ropes of running commentary and always reminded me of the importance of family.
Oom Pete, your voice will be missed – Wikus Weber
The voice when I finished my first full marathon has gone silent Rus in Vrede Oom Pete. jou stem gan gemis word. – Casper Moodie
Rest easy Pete van der Merwe. An athletic family has lost a soldier. – Kamogelo Masemola
