We are not a tourism business, says ASA

Some tough questions are being asked in South African athletics circles after the national team returned empty-handed from the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Unlike two years ago, when congratulatory banners and singing schoolchildren greeted a triumphant team that had bagged five medals in Paris, Johannesburg International airport was quiet this week - and the word coming from Athletics South Africa (ASA) was ominous.

While the team management had warned before departure that they were in a rebuilding phase after 2004's Olympic Games in Athens, no one expected the team to return without a single South African having managed to get on to the podium in the Finnish capital.

ASA officially announced a change of focus on Tuesday.

"The days of taking athletes along just because they are big names are over. Our focus will now be on youth (under-18) and junior (under-21) athletes," president Leonard Chuene said.

"We are not in the tourism business. We are not selecting a team for a holiday. They are sent there to win medals."

ASA general manager Linda Ferns was equally outspoken.

"People who do not put heart and soul and passion into the sport will not be selected in future. Selection will depend on athletes' desire to win medals for their country."

"Yes, athletics is an individual sport, but athletes should be in it for their country too. That's why we're now going to focus on youth and junior level."

Chuene accused several athletes who had gone to Helsinki of "not being committed enough" and suggested that coaching structures in South Africa also needed to be looked at.

"We need to be investing in athletes and coaches, but we will definitely be looking to include more juniors than seniors in our teams in future and to channel our resources more constructively," he explained.

Ferns, who called for some perspective, praised the efforts of youngsters Khotso Mokoena and LJ van Zyl who, together with sixth-placed discus thrower Frantz Kruger, were the stars of South Africa's otherwise disappointing team.

"Khotso broke the SA record, which was a remarkable achievement, while LJ was another athlete who did brilliantly. That's exactly why we are going to focus on younger athletes in future," said Ferns.

Mokoena finished seventh in the long jump final and Van Zyl sixth in the 400m hurdles final.

Ferns expressed specific disappointment in the performance of a marathon team who failed to even produce a single finisher in Helsinki after having claimed bronze in Paris in 2003.

"ASA injected more than R1-million into this team for preparation. So not to have one guy finishing is just not on. There might be a legitimate reason for that (failure), and we need to correct whatever is wrong. We don't have the same kind of money as cricket and rugby."

Both Ferns and Chuene said they were awaiting full reports from team management to explain the poor showing before taking any steps to bring about an improvement before next year's Commonwealth Games.