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Ann Ashworth gets the boot

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Ann Ashworth gets the boot

It should have been a triumphant celebration of a job well done – but instead, Comrades Marathon Race & Operations Manager Ann Ashworth has left the organisation, alleging that a smear campaign was mounted against her. We chat to Ann, and get her story about what happened “behind closed doors.” Watch the full video below.

In a social media post, she wrote: “My time at the CMA has come to an end. The Board feels that I lack the necessary leadership and race management abilities to continue to serve as the Race & Operations Manager.” In the comments on the post, responding to a question about what went on behind closed doors, she added “… my job was promised to someone else months ago. That person will resume the position after actively sabotaging me in the office and in the media.”

The Comrades Association later issued a statement confirming that Ann would no longer be in the position: “The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) regrets to announce the departure of Ann Ashworth from her role as the Comrades Marathon Race & Operations Manager with immediate effect. We wish to thank her for her contribution to a highly successful race.”

The CMA also addressed what’s come to be known as “Vanillagate” (after a board member put out a public call for more people to register as members of the association so it was no longer “all vanilla”. In its statement, association chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo was quoted as saying that the “so-called ‘Vanillagate’ saga has no bearing on (Ann’s) departure”.

Elsewhere in the statement the CMA quoted its Constitution, stating that the board is not able to remove a member. But legendary coach Norrie Williamson, in a social media post, contradicted this, saying the constitution allows any board member to be suspended and given a hearing to answer to charges, including those of bringing the CMA into disrepute or acting against its interests.

This is the latest in a series of pressure points for the Comrades. Last year’s cut-off debacle angered many. But, by all accounts from runners and the community at large, Ann did a good job and ushered in a lot of positive changes this year. Was it perfect? No – but no race is.

So where to from here? Our advice is to get as many runners as possible to join the CMA. This is the only possible way to have a say in the future of the race, including the selection of board members.

Join the CMA Association to have your say

CMA Membership is open to individuals 18 years and older who are either active runners, active volunteers, or retired/longstanding runners/volunteers, who subscribe to the objectives of CMA and wish to participate in its activities in compliance with the CMA Constitution, vision and values.

To be eligible to vote at the 2024 AGM your membership application and membership fee of R100 must be received by no later than 30 June 2024.



JOIN NOW

Not-so-delusional Maseti set to break new ground for SA cycling in Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Not-so-delusional Maseti set to break new ground for SA cycling in Paris

By Karien Jonckheere

Miyanda Maseti wants to be an Olympic champion.

She already knew that when, as a plucky seven-year-old, she watched two-time Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya on TV.

“If somebody told me then that I would be an Olympian, I would’ve accepted it way easy,” reckoned Maseti with a laugh. “I was a delusional seven-year-old so I would’ve been like ‘I already knew that’.”

Sure enough, 11 years later, the BMX star’s name was among those announced as part of Team South Africa heading to the Paris Olympic Games next month.

“I guess seven-year-old me wasn’t so delusional,” she added.

Maseti will become the first South African woman to represent the country in BMX racing at the Olympic Games since the sport was added to the programme in 2008.

“I’m not even going to lie to you, I think I’m more nervous than excited,” she admitted from her training base in the Netherlands, where she will stay until the start of the Games. “This is the Olympics and I need to show why I’ve made it there.”

While the dream of becoming Olympic champion may be a more realistic one for the next Games in 2028, Maseti is determined to impress in the French capital. “My goal in Paris is to do my best and be my best while I’m there,” she explained. “To achieve this goal I need to get myself in the right place to compete at my best ability.

“In order to be good at BMX it takes effort, time, consistency and fun. You will only want to get better if you’re enjoying it.”

Fun it’s certainly been for Maseti, having first climbed on a bike at the age of four because her brother was riding – and eventually racing against boys to make sure she continued to improve.

“I love how fun it is to learn a new skill,” explained the six-time national champion. “I love how much joy it brings. I love the intensity. I love the confidence it gives and I love the lessons it teaches.

“I wish that people knew that BMX isn’t as harmful as people think. Everyone is so afraid to fall, but it’s a part of life. Why not fall, doing something you enjoy?”

Catch Maseti on 1 and 2 August when she’ll be in action at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines BMX Stadium in Paris.

Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Meder Battles Back After Emergency Surgery and is Primed For Paris

By Karien Jonckheere 

Picture:Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images 

Rebecca Meder’s road to Paris has been something of a roller coaster ride. Four weeks before the SA Olympic trials, the 21-year-old swimmer’s appendix ruptured, leading to emergency surgery and a dramatic change of plans.

With rules dictating she had to compete at the trials to be considered for the SA team, Meder still made her way back to South Africa from her training base in New Zealand and competed in just one race – the 50m backstroke. The event was selected as it doesn’t involve a dive or tumble turn which could have caused problems with the still-healing internal stitches after the surgery.

Fortunately for Meder, she had already achieved an Olympic qualifying time in the 200m individual medley ahead of the competition, so her place on the team was secured once she had fulfilled the requirement of simply showing up. But what followed was a gruelling few months of trying to regain her form.

The SA record-holder said the comeback would not have been possible without the support of her coach, family, boyfriend and strength and conditioning and medical teams – along with a strong faith in God.

“I’ve cried many tears over the phone, I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t cry and if I didn’t have those raw emotions, and you know what, they let me feel the way I’m feeling, they listened, and then we tackled it with logic and with precision and with a goal in mind,” she explained.

“Mentally it was tough. I was frustrated, I was angry and devastated. But at the same time, I was so grateful that I was healthy. An erupted appendix is quite a dangerous thing. I spent a lot of time in prayer, worshipping God and just fixing my mind on His truth … and ultimately filling my mind with positivity and with peace and with comfort and knowing that everything was going to be OK.

“It was very difficult getting back in the pool, it was when the load started picking up, I was a little bit despondent every now and then… but I’m more at peace now knowing that I’m back on track, I’m strong again, I’m fit, fast, and muscle memory has kicked in really quickly.”

With much determination and hard work after what was effectively six weeks away from full training, Meder believes she is now back at her best.

“I’ve been hitting times in training that I’m really happy with, faster times than I have been, and my racing’s been going well, I’ve done one or two local events here in New Zealand and really happy with some of my times and some PBs, short course, which is always obviously encouraging.”

Meder competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and while that was important in terms of gaining experience, this time she’s there to compete.

“Last time my goal was to get to Olympics, and now my goal is to perform at Olympics. It’s quite scary to say out loud, but I suppose your dreams are supposed to scare you, and for me making a final at Olympic Games would be huge,” she said.

“The 200IM is going to be one of the most competitive events at Olympic Games… top eight in the world at an event like the Olympics would be massive. And then of course, when you’re in the final, anything can happen.”

Childhood fantasy becomes Olympic reality for SA’s sole fencer in Paris

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Childhood fantasy becomes Olympic reality for SA’s sole fencer in Paris

By Karien Jonckheere

Flashing swords and clashing steel… who wouldn’t be fascinated? That’s what initially drew Harry Saner to fencing, and what’s now created a path for the 23-year-old to the Olympic Games in Paris.

“I was always fascinated with swords. Who isn’t as a kid?  So many movies showed fencing in so many ways that when I saw it on the TV I knew I had to start it. I begged my parents and soon they found the club that I’m still at today,” explained the Wits mechanical engineering student who trains at Tyshler Fencing School in Randburg.

Having taken up the sport around the age of 10, Saner soon climbed up the ranks and developed a real love for the sport.

“I love that fencing is a beautiful balance of physicality and mentality that transforms into a battle of wits. It’s like high-speed chess. Or your favourite movie fight scene. I absolutely wish more people knew about it. I’d love to fence more people and give more people the awesomeness fencing has given me,” he explained.

Securing his place in Paris involved winning the African Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Algeria. That he achieved by beating Mauritian Satya Gunput 15-14 in the semifinal before getting the better of Mali’s Keletigui Diabate 15-13 in the final.

“I know I was the fittest I’ve ever been for the zonal championship I won. Having that foundation already has given me the confidence to be fitter and fence better than I ever have before. So I can’t wait to see just how much better I become.”

Saner’s coach, Gennady Tyshler, has trained numerous Olympians while his father, David Tyshler, was an Olympic medallist for the Soviet Union in 1956. The coach believes fencing is the type of sport where little-known athletes can often spring a surprise on the more established stars.

“I’m sure I can!” reckoned a confident Saner. “No one has really had the opportunity to overanalyse the way I fence but there is so much out there that I can use to make a few creative problems for my upcoming opponents.”

Saner will be representing the country in épée, one of the three disciplines in fencing – the other two being foil and sabre. In épée there are no right of way rules regarding attacks which means any hit which is made is counted. Hits are awarded based on which fencer makes a hit first, according to an electrical recording apparatus.

“I’m most excited to fence in front of the French crowd. I hope it’s as electrifying as I think it’s going to be,” he said. “And since it’s a country with so much history and tradition for fencing I’m excited to show them what I’ve got. I’m going there with a medal-winning mentality and I know that will take me further than I’ve ever gone before.”

Fencing at the Paris Olympic Games runs from 27 July to 4 August.