The High Court said yes …
Another court victory for Mark Leathers of Mc Naught and Co fighting for Comrades runner Alexandra Morozova who was on Thursday issued with a ban by the Comrades Marathon Association from competing tomorrow because she is Russian.
A previous court victory for Mc Naught and Co saw a ban on paying her her prize money for coming 2nd on the 2017 race overturned.
According to Mark, sport should be separated from politics and someone’s birth or nationality should not prevent them from doing what their whole life and career has trained them to do. Alexandra is a top athlete and it would run completely contrary to the ‘comrades spirit’ to block her from competing and would make a mockery of ‘winning’ if the better athletes are prevented from competing.
Mc Naught and Co. and Alexandra obtained the court order compelling the Association to allow her to compete tomorrow, with costs awarded against the Association who opposed the application before the High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
# Alexandra powered on to win the Comrades Marathon ladies race 4 mins ahead of her nearest competitor.
Here are earlier press reports…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2022-08-26-top-comrades-womens-race-contender-dashes-to-court-to-fight-race-ban/
https://ewn.co.za/2022/08/27/russian-runner-morozova-wins-right-to-participate-in-comrades-marathon/amp
