'I'm heartbroken' - Administrative bungle robs Mailula of World University Games bronze medal

What was meant to be a moment ion celebration to end a successful university athletic career, turned into an experience of deep disappointment for Karabo Mailula. Representing South Africa at the World University Games in Germany this month, the University of Pretoria top runner arrived in the German city of Bochum with high expectations ready to compete over 10 000m and the half marathon.

On the back of a 33:01 personal best at the Absa RUN YOUR CITY DURBAN 10K on 13 July, Mailula delivered a 33:06.34 lifetime best in the 10 000m to claim thirteenth position. Five days later she lined up to take on the half marathon, only to be told that she hadn’t been entered to participate in the event despite having won the University Sports South Africa half marathon title by virtue of winning the MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon 21km race on 1 May, which doubled as the University Sports South Africa Championship race.

Mailula is all smiles moments after crossing the finish line in third place in the half marathon race at the FISU World Univeristy Games. Photo Credit: Supplied.

Running under protest, the 23-year-old from Mabopane in the City of Tshwane, claimed third position which should have seen her return to South Africa with the bronze medal. However, FISU officials informed her that neither her 1:13:03 career best clocking, nor her bronze medal would stand because she had been entered after the cutoff date and USSA had been told well in advance that Mailula would not be eligible to run the 21km race.

"Unfortunately I was disqualified because I was not entered. I don't know how because I qualified to run and represent South Africa in the 21km. I found out that USSA didn’t enter my name to run the 21km, they only entered me to run the 10km. I'm hurt and heartbroken because I didn’t get my medal. They gave number four my medal," said a disappointed Mailula.

Mailula on her way to winning the MiWay Wally Hayward Marathon 21km race in 1:16:08 on 1 May which incorporated the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Half Marathon championships. Photo Credit: SMacPix.

Kesa Molotsane who leads the USSA Athletics team admitted frustration. She said she only found out that the USSA 10 000m and 21km champion had not been entered the day before the half marathon race when she checked the startles and didn’t see her name. Efforts to get to the bottom of it with USSA officials drew blanks, leaving Team South Africa one medal shy and Mailula inconsolable.