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Former Athletics SA (ASA) president Leonard Chuene has passed away, announced the Marathon Comrades Association (CMA).
ASA had yet to respond to the news on its official website.
The CMA wrote in a statement: “The Comrades of Marathon Association (CMA) is saddened by the tragic passing of honorary member of Comrades Marathon, green numbers runner and former president of Athletics SA Leonard Chuene. He was 68 years old.
“Leonard 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 at the age of 38.
“Leonard ran for Diepkloof Athletic Club, of which he was also president for a long time; as well as being a member of Central Gauteng Blind Sports in later years.
He is also credited with founding the Soweto Marathon, along with athletic administrator Banele Sindani and development officer Boycie Ntlwane.
“Leonard was honored with CMA’s honorary lifetime membership at the 2002 Spirit of Comrades awards gala, along with volunteer Theo Millar, who received a lifetime membership, and current CMA president Cheryl Winn received the lifetime membership with honors. “
Cheryl Winn, CMA President, was quoted as saying: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a true comrade, Leonard Chuene. 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 in our athletics federation, ASA. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time. “
Chuene was replaced as ASA president by James Evans in July 2011.
The post was vacated after the South African Sports Confederation and the Olympic Committee (Sascoc) found Chuene and former ASA Vice President Kakata Maponyane guilty of financial irregularities in February.
Chuene was banned from participating in any sport under Sascoc’s jurisdiction for seven years, and Maponyane was banned for five years.
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