Fearful Thugwane pulls out

Athletics

Thursday 05 September 1996 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Olympic marathon champion, Josia Thugwane, who claims death threats have been made against him, has pulled out of the Bupa Great North Run on 15 September.

The 25-year-old security guard fears for his life after becoming South Africa's first black gold medallist. Sources say Thugwane, from a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, may have fallen foul of a local drugs baron, angry at his new-found fame. "Everyone is talking about the plan to kill me," the Johannesburg Star quoted him as saying. "I do not know who the crooks are, but if they say they will kill someone, they will do it."

Thugwane, who was wounded in a hijacking three months before the Olympics, added: "They think I am rich. I fear more for my wife and family than myself."

South African athletics officials have announced that instead of competing on Tyneside, Thugwane will attend a reception being hosted by Nelson Mandela on the same day.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in