"I don't think I've fully recovered from being left out of the Olympic team" - Adams pays back the money as he struggles to revive his career
South African sprinter Luxolo Adams has refunded the money paid to him by athletes for Adidas running gear, bringing an end to a dispute that had threatened to overshadow his glittering career and worsen an already difficult period away from competitive athletics. Last week #TheTopRunner reported on the concerns raised by Cape Town-based marathoner Sbusiso Madikizela and KZN sprinter Melusi Dlamini, both of whom claimed that they had paid the former SA 200m champion for running gear which they never received. Adams says the situation has been resolved after he repaid them in full.
“I decided to pay back the money that the athletes gave me,” Adams told #TheTopRunner. “It was a bit of misunderstanding between us, which I’m glad is sorted now. I’m not the kind of guy who likes to be associated with bad publicity.”
This development comes as the 30-year-old third fastest South African 200m sprinter of all time struggles to resuscitate his ailing career. The 2022 World Championships finalist has been largely absent from competitive racing over the past two years, but insists he has not abandoned the sport.
“I’m still a runner. Running is something I love with all of my heart,” he said. “I still train and I’m hoping that I’ll get more races against good athletes in order to test myself and see how far I am.”
Adams’ career was dealt a major blow in 2024 when he was left out of South Africa’s Olympic team for the Paris Games, even though he had achieved the qualifying standard. Despite a much publicised and bitter fight against Athletics South Africa who still maintain that the sprinter was not fully fit, Adams was left out of the 200m roster, in favour of 400m World Record holder Wayde van Niekerk. Adams admits that the entire ordeal left deep psychological scars.
“Emotionally and mentally, I don’t think I fully recovered from being left out of the 2024 Olympics squad,” he revealed. “I was one of the first South African athletes to secure a ticket to the Olympics. Remember, it was going to be my first time representing my country at the Olympic Games. It was something special and probably would have been the biggest achievement of my career. Sadly, my dream was crushed.”
The man who is the holder of a 19.82 200m personal best set when he famously won the 2022 Paris Diamond League, says being left out of the Olympic team led to an exodus of personal sponsors and commercial partners which has since made it difficult for him to train and perform at a high level.
“I lost financial backing after I failed to go to the Olympics back in 2024. There were sponsors interested in associating with me but things took another turn. It was a major blow. But there are people who have come forward and are willing to assist me to revive my career," he said.
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