Were/are you an active sportsman?
Yes, I am still very active as a runner, and God-willing, I will still be active for many years to come. Prior to taking up road running, I was a football player. I only stopped playing when I started running.

Have you been involved in sport in a different way - as a coach or official for example?
Yes, I did some coaching courses in football. But in athletics I have only been involved as a runner and administrator.

What do you personally gain from athletics?
I see people derive happiness from the sport, and also relish the fact that athletics fosters unity amongst the people of South Africa.

What is your professional occupation?
Sports Administrator

How does your attitude to athletics influence your career?
Positively, in the sense that I am an administrator and get to see first hand the fruits of my labour with my own eyes. It is a bonus for me, as I deal directly with the sport that is closest my heart.

How do you manage to combine a career with your deep commitment to athletics and sport?
As a sports administrator the two are intertwined and its an added bonus on my side as I have the pleasure of doing what I love best.

What are your hobbies and interests?
I'm an avid reader, a runner, and I enjoy constructive topical debates.

Do you have children? And if so, do you (did you) encourage them to practise sport?
I have four children who are all involved one way or another in sports, particularly athletics. You could say it runs in the family!

South Africa hosted the World Cup in 1998 and the All Africa Games in 1999. In what way did your country benefit from such championships?
My country gained many benefits. Firstly, the hosting of the World Cup in 1998 helped to elevate the image of the sport of athletics in our country, by increasing awareness for the sport.
The hosting of the All Africa Games had the same effect for sport in general. Both these events helped us also to improve our skills and capacity to host major international events.
In general, such events make a significant contribution towards promoting unity and reconciliation in my country.

What in your opinion are the advantages of hosting a major world athletics event?
At grass roots level it has improved the development of athletics in South Africa. Besides gaining mileage on the international arena, it becomes an eye opener for the rest of the world to see how we fare in the world. Opens tourism for our country. Exchange of ideas on a global scale.

(a) Skills development
(b) Generation of jobs
(c) Contribution to the economy
(d) Promotes South Africa as a World player in sport.

How important is athletics to the South African sports' scene? What are the prospects for the future?
Athletics is very important in the South African sports scene. Firstly, because it is a sport which attracts thousands of young boys and girls as participants.
We in South Africa believe that sport is a weapon we can use to fight crime in our country, and athletics is an integral part of this weapon.
The prospects for the sport in South Africa are very good. The sport continues to grow at a phenominal rate. I strongly believe that South Africa has a potential to dominate the world athletics scene like countries such as Kenya, Germany and ultimately the USA.

And what about Africa as a whole? How would you summarise the current situation and the future and what do you hope to achieve as African Area Representative on the IAAF Council?
Africa can be likened to a sleeping giant in athletics. We have already seen the possibilities, thanks to athletes like Morceli, Gebrselassie, the Kenyan brigade, El Guerrouj, Maria Mutola, etc.
The future is very bright. As Africa Area Group Representative I hope to identify and bring together good partners for the development of athletics in Africa.