[ad_1]
Former President of Athletics South Africa (ASA) Leonard Chuene has passed away, has confirmed the Marathon Companions Association (CMA).
He was 68 years old.
In a statement issued Saturday, the CMA said it was saddened by the “tragic passing of honorary member of the Marathon comrades, Green Number runner and former president of Athletics South Africa, Leonard Chuene.”
Chuene completed 12 comrade marathons between 1987 and 2000, winning 11 bronze medals and one silver medal.
He achieved his best time of 07:19:25 in the 1991 Comrades Marathon Down Run at the age of 38.
Chuene ran for the Diepkloof Athletic Club, of which he was also long-time president; as well as being a member of Central Gauteng Blind Sports in his later years.
He is also credited with founding the Soweto Marathon, along with athletic administrator Banele Sindani and development officer Boycie Ntlwane.
Chuene was honored with the CMA Honorary Lifetime Membership at the 2002 Spirit of Comrades Awards Gala, along with longtime volunteer Theo Millar who received the Lifetime Membership and current CMA President Cheryl Winn received the Lifetime Membership with Honors.
Winn has extended his sincere condolences on behalf of the CMA Board to the Chuene family, friends and running community.
“We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a true comrade, Leonard Chuene,” he said in a statement.
“His passion for the Comrade Marathon and running in general will be remembered by many, as well as his contribution to athletics during his long tenure at our athletics federation, ASA. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”
Chuene was a key figure in Caster Semenya’s early years on the international stage and his handling of the gender case that followed Semenya is ultimately what cost him his job in South African athletics.
– CMA Media
