Russian athlete Alexandra Morozova has been handed over her champion gold trophy and prize money following her victory in the weekend’s Comrades Marathon.
The top runners and top teams attended a champions’ prize-giving ceremony in Durban.
Tete Dijana from Mahikeng in the North-West also proudly received his trophy and prize money at the event.
Morozova was at the eleventh hour allowed to participate in the 2022 Comrades Marathon after succeeding with an urgent court interdict.
This was after the Comrade Marathon Association implemented a last-minute directive from the World Athletics not to allow Russian athletes to compete, due to the country’s doping ban and its invasion of Ukraine.
“I was very upset from the beginning but my position is that I am an individual athlete and I am not representing Russia or the international…but as an individual athlete,” says Female Comrades Marathon champion Alexandra Morozova.
VIDEO: Tete Morena and Alexandra Morozova wins Comrades Marathon
The Association is not intending to oppose the interdict.
“As Comrades Marathon Association we respect the decision of the courts and we had to implement the decision of the court and you will appreciate that the runner in question participated yesterday and as part of the decision of the court was that she participate. Because she participated so she qualifies to get the prize money,” says Comrades Marathon Association chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo.
The men’s champion, Tete Dijana and third-placed woman, Adelle Broodryk each added a R100 000 to their prize money, for being the first South Africans home.
Runner collapses and later passes away
A local running club has announced that one of their runners has collapsed on the route at Pinetown and died in hospital.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones during the race yesterday. May the souls of the departed rest in peace. We also wish athletes who are in hospital a speedy recovery. We acknowledge that training had not been easy due to the COVID-19 restrictions and we congratulate all those who entered the race in spite of all the obstacles,” says KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
The association, which has received a backlash from runners for the reduced prize money this year, says it will review the issue once its financial situation improves.
VIDEO: Comrades Marathon winners’ prize ceremony
