Latest news with #TwoOceans
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
OPINION: The online bullying in SA road running has become extreme
Individuals within organisations have been singled out for online attacks. Some runners have taken to social media to launch personal attacks. Picture: Stéphane Mouchmouche/Hans Lucas/AFP Toni Cavanagh was forced to step down as chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon this week, which is a relief, but not for the reasons you might think. Cavanagh's character has been ripped to shreds on digital and social media platforms, and for the sake of her own mental health, it's good that she will no longer be in the spotlight. The latest among a group of individuals in South African road running who have been attacked on social media in recent years, Cavanagh was singled out for criticism as if she had destroyed one of South Africa's most popular races. There were issues around this year's Two Oceans ultra-marathon, most notably the organisers defying regulations by allowing too many runners to enter, which left them in hot water with the City of Cape Town. But there hasn't been joint criticism directed towards the entire board, or even the race director who is responsible for operational issues. While Cavanagh was the chairperson of the board, she wasn't the only person at fault, so why has she been torn apart while others have received a free pass? If Cavanagh had been caught stealing money, or if she single-handedly destroyed the race, I could understand the attacks. She did neither of these things. Among the things she has been criticised for, even before this year's race, are wearing a t-shirt without someone's approval (I'm not kidding), playing golf after a race, and a press release issued by Two Oceans which stated she had allegedly run more ultra-marathons than she had. If an organisation must be criticised, then so be it, but why tear into individuals who are part of a group that created a problem? And why the desperate need to criticise Cavanagh for such petty reasons? Character assassination What is scary is that Cavanagh is not alone. A handful of employees and board members at major South African road races have also been singled out for the most vile criticism in recent years over minor things. One was torn apart for making spelling mistakes in a magazine and baking biscuits the day before a race. Again, I'm not kidding. Another was verbally assaulted for editing an online magazine after a race. That's not to say spelling mistakes and late edits to cover mistakes are good things, but we're all human, and these people do not deserve to have their names dragged through the mud as if they're criminals. Most alarming is that all three people mentioned above are women, and the majority of people jumping on board to attack them are men. This is not constructive criticism. It's online bullying driven by latent sexism. The toxic environment that has been created in South African road running is going to chase people, and sponsors, away from the sport. Criticising individuals or organisations for serious errors which cause harm is one thing. Attacking women for wearing t-shirts and baking biscuits is unacceptable.
The Citizen
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Banning athletes is not a long-term solution to end doping
Athletes are not walking into pharmacies and walking out with EPO. You're an athlete, and things are going pretty well. But as hard as you're training and racing, you just can't seem to break through. Other athletes are always quicker. So you decide to give yourself an advantage. You'll take some EPO. It has worked for other athletes, and maybe it will work for you. Perhaps you even convince yourself that everyone ahead of you is cheating, and it's the only way to win. What's the next step? Who do you speak to? Where do you find EPO? How do you figure out how much of it to take and when, to try and avoid detection? It's not like you can just walk into a pharmacy and walk out with EPO. And even if you could, you still have no idea what you're doing. How many athletes who are caught doping have followed this route? I imagine it's very few of them. For the most part, surely, athletes are approached by people who already have access to performance enhancing substances and can put them in touch with a medical expert who is willing to advise them on what to do. Find the suppliers I don't know how this works in real life, but in the movies, the cops are not as interested in punishing drug users as they are in finding dealers. It's a strategy that makes sense. Cut the drug off at the supplier and you solve the problem. Throw the users behind bars and the dealers will just find more of them. A friend of mine suggested this week that athletes who are caught doping should be given a significantly reduced sanction if they provide sufficient information about people who are higher up the chain. This is a great idea. At first, it might seem wrong to let people off lightly for cheating, but if we look at the bigger picture, the current approach just isn't working. If anything, the scourge of doping in sport is getting worse. It was disappointing this week to hear that Nkosikhona Mhlakwana had tested positive for EPO after finishing fourth at the Two Oceans ultra-marathon in Cape Town earlier this year. Of course, he has been suspended (for three years), but honestly, it feels like banning him is the equivalent of removing a single drop of water from a swimming pool. Scared to talk? In the movies, the users often don't want to talk, which is understandable. They don't want to be taken out by people who are higher up the ladder. And that might also be the case for athletes. They're probably scared to spill the beans. However, anti-doping bodies need to find a way to get athletes like Mhlakwana (and the many others who have been caught) to start talking. Athletes are not buying EPO at the local pharmacy. They are being approached. Find the suppliers and we'll get somewhere in solving the long-term problem.
The Citizen
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
RBIDZ Employee Conquers the Comrades Marathon
As the nation enters into Mandela Month, a time that calls for reflection, unity, and perseverance, the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) celebrates an employee whose journey of running long-distance marathons stands as a shining example of the resilience and tenacity we are all inspired to embody. Vusi Ndlovu, a Business Applications Analyst at the RBIDZ, earned his sixth medal in the recently held 98th Comrades Marathon from Pietermaritzburg to Durban. With seven Comrades Marathon runnings and six finishes now under his belt, along with numerous appearances and finishes at renowned races such as the Two Oceans and Soweto Marathons, Vusi's commitment to sport is matched only by his humility and discipline. Vusi believes that sport is more than fitness and hobby; it is a way of life and a connector since being part of a running association creates long-lasting friendships and bonds. As a long-time member of the Team Vitality Running Club, he has dedicated the past nine years to the sport he loves. The Comrades Marathon, known for its gruelling 90km course between Durban and Pietermaritzburg; tests physical endurance and mental strength – for Vusi it was not only a personal goal but also a journey that reflects the values upheld by RBIDZ, which highlight excellence, commitment, and resilience. 'I run to clear my mind and to stay healthy,' said Vusi. 'Running long distances teaches you how to stay committed, no matter the pain or challenge. You develop a resilient character, something that echoes what Madiba stood for.' 'The Comrades Marathon is always a humbling experience,' Vusi echoed. 'During the race, I kept reminding myself that finishing was not only for me but for everyone who believes in pushing limits and breaking boundaries. Through dedication and support, I managed to conquer yet again.' Congratulating Vusi on finishing the Comrades Marathon and obtaining his medal, RBIDZ Corporate Services Executive Manager-Nombuso Nsele highlighted the importance and need for holistic well-being of employees attributed from company support, culture and programmes offered by the RBIDZ such as the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in the workplace. 'Employee wellness is not just a checkbox for us; it is a strategic priority,' said Nsele, 'When employees are physically and mentally strong, they perform better, engage meaningfully with one another, and contribute positively to the objectives of the organisation, as well as the culture of excellence we are building. Vusi's journey personifies what we stand for as an organisation.' As RBIDZ continues to invest in the growth of the organisation and being an employer of choice, Vusi's accomplishment serves as an influential reminder that greatness is possible when talent meets support. The bearing of his resilience and commitment reaches far beyond. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Gerda Steyn taking time off in UK, but still more to come from the Smiling Assassin in 2025
TAKING TIME OFF Gerda Steyn, after a successful season winning the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons, is enjoying a summer break in the UK but is set to compete in a major race later this year, likely aiming to reclaim her South African women's marathon record at the Valencia Marathon. Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Following another incredible season of road running in South Africa in which Gerda Steyn won both the Two Oceans Marathon and Comrades Marathon titles, the Smiling Assassin is finally taking some well-deserved time off. Currently spending time in what should be the warmer climbs of the UK in summer, Steyn is still coming down from the high of winning her fourth Comrades Marathon title on June 8. It was also her third consecutive title at 'The Ultimate Human Race'. Though Steyn was enjoying the warmer weather abroad, she hinted on Facebook she would still be running another major race before the year is out.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Court denies Two Oceans Marathon chairperson's bid to silence blogger
The chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon tried to gag a runner from publishing what she deemed to be defamatory statements regarding her and the event. Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix The Gauteng High Court has dismissed an urgent application from Antoinette Cavanagh, chairperson of Cape Town's well-known Two Oceans Marathon, in her bid to silence a runner and blogger who has raised concerns about various "irregularities" and 'problems' associated with races like the Two Oceans Marathon. Cavanagh turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, as she claimed that Stuart Mann - the author of a blog known as The Running Mann - has made defamatory statements on his blog. He shares information about road running events and what he calls 'exposé articles'. He has apparently brought public attention to a number of irregularities and problems that arose in races including the Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathon. Cavanagh approached the court for relief stemming from four posts which Mann published on social media. These include an article that appeared in December last year in which he queries whether Cavanagh is an appropriate person to chair the board of the Two Oceans. He set out apparent inconsistencies between her professional and running credentials as set out in a press release announcing her election on the one hand, and those details of her credentials which Mann was able to verify on the other hand. In April this year he dealt with certain controversies that emerged during the 2025 iteration of the Two Oceans, including a shortage of bronze medals, which Mann contends was due to Two Oceans accepting more entries than it had a permit for. He also insinuated that she has the board completely under her thumb, as well as publishing her CV which served before the board when she was elected chair. Cavanagh, in claiming the publications are defamatory and unlawful, wanted Mann to remove them and publish an apology. She also wanted an order preventing future publication of similar content. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mann disputed the urgency of the application and denied that the content of the posts is defamatory or otherwise unlawful. Judge Seena Yacoob commented that the 'chaotic' and 'vague' manner in which the application is pleaded does not commend itself to determination on an urgent basis, but she agreed to hear it on an urgent basis. She said both Cavanagh and the Two Oceans Marathon (cited as the second applicant) fail to set out a clear factual background. In addition, the judge said, the applicant's papers contain neither the dates of the publications, nor the specific statements or utterances complained of. Cavanagh, however, said that she considers each publication defamatory in its entirety. Judge Yacoob further noted that the publications consist of much material which is either not obviously defamatory, or not defamatory at all. 'Neither of the applicants have made out a case that the esteem in which they are held is of a particular type. Cavanagh does not favour the court with her own full history nor does she demonstrate that she is viewed with any particular esteem or that she has a reputation for integrity and good leadership.' The judge added that the Two Oceans does not contend that it has run its events in a manner reasonably beyond criticism and above board. It does not even contend, let alone attempt to demonstrate that it has conducted its events lawfully and in a manner compliant with its permits from the City of Cape Town. 'There is no attempt to demonstrate that any of the factual claims made in the publications is untrue, although there is a bald allegation that they are all false,' Judge Yacoob said in turning down the application. Cape Argus
