By Thathe Msimango
South African 3,000m steeplechase record holder Ruben Ramolefi said it will take some time for the country to produce an athlete that will emulate his achievements.
The 44-year-old Ramolefi, who is a multiple national champion, represented the country in the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 and in Beijing in 2008.
He was the last athlete to qualify for the World Athletics Championship held in Daegu in South Korea in 2011, before announcing his retirement in 2012.
The man from the Northern Cape believes that for athletes to achieve good times in the steeplechase they have to work together.
“It is sad that since my retirement from the sport no athlete has managed to represent us on the global stage,” said the 3,000m steeplechase national record holder, whose 8:11.50 has stood since 2011.
“I think in my times the competition was there for athletes to achieve good times. You can’t run faster if you aren’t pushed. We are lacking that in the country at the moment. Most of the runners, when competing, feel that they are enemies – which is wrong,” he told Scrolla.Africa.
He said nobody really cares about people in the rural areas.
“There are talented individuals but they lack support, especially financial support, to flourish,” he said.
“Once this has been resolved more talent will emerge. There is no doubt that this country is blessed with talent, and it is a matter of taking care of it.”
Pictured above: Ruben Ramolefi during the 2011 World Championships
Image source: IOL
