Leonard Chuene, a former president of Athletics South Africa (ASA), is dead.
He was 68-years-old.
Chuene, a former marathoner, achieved his best time of 07:19:25 in the 1991 Comrades Marathon down run at the age of 38
The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), in a statement, said it was saddened by his death.
“The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is saddened by the tragic passing of Comrades Marathon honorary member, green number runner and former Athletics SA president Leonard Chuene. He was 68 years old,” the association said in a statement.
“Leonard completed 12 Comrades Marathons between 1987 and 2000, earning 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.
“Leonard ran for the Diepkloof Athletic Club, of which he was also a long-standing chairperson; as well as being a member of the Central Gauteng Blind Sports in later years.
“He was also credited with founding the Soweto Marathon, along with athletics administrator Banele Sindani and development officer Boycie Ntlwane.
“Leonard was honoured with CMA honorary life membership at the 2002 Spirit of Comrades Awards gala, alongside long-serving volunteer Theo Millar, who was awarded life membership, and current CMA chairperson Cheryl Winn, awarded life membership with honours.”
CMA chairperson Cheryl Winn was quoted as saying: “We are deeply saddened by the untimely passing of a true Comrade, Leonard Chuene. His passion for the Comrades Marathon and running in general will be remembered by many, as well as his contribution to athletics during his lengthy tenure at 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 position was left vacant after the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) found Chuene and former ASA vice-president Kakata Maponyane guilty of financial impropriety in February.
Chuene was banned from involvement in any sport under the jurisdiction of Sascoc for seven years, while Maponyane was handed a five-year ban.