Lebo Phalula unimpressed – I got nothing out of going to the Olympics

Matshelane Mamabolo

AN OLYMPIC year should bring beautiful, nostalgic memories to anyone who has experienced the global sporting showpiece live. It is, after all, the ultimate stage for every aspiring sportsman or woman to showcase their talent – a stage reached only by a few.

One of those few is Lebo Phalula.

Yet, instead of the Soweto runner getting excited in anticipation of Paris 2024 Games, the event triggers a sense of bitterness in the famous twin.

“I got nothing out of going to the Olympics. It was a waste for me,” the accomplished runner said – the tinge of regret palpable in her voice.

Phalula remains the only black woman to represent South Africa in the marathon at the Olympics. The 40-year-old was part of Team South Africa for the 2016 Rio Games and completed the 42.195km race in 2:41:46 to bag 63rd position among the 133 finishers.

The multiple South African half-marathon champion hoped that her achievement – from her qualification to participation on the big stage – would open doors for her and set her up for a fulfilling career.

It did no such thing.

“I was very happy and motivated to be on the team to represent South Africa at the Olympics. I did not even know I was the first black woman and I only discovered that when one of the guys from Sascoc told me and said they were happy for and proud of me.”

Logically, Phalula expected to benefit from that status.

“I thought I would be the one to set an example and that it will open doors. But building up to the Olympics, there was nothing to motivate me.

“There was very little support from Sascoc and whatever help I got was nothing compared to what I used to see being given to other athletes. I had to prepare for the Olympics using money from my own pocket and everything that I thought would come from Sascoc – helping a poor black woman for the Olympics – was just a dream.”

Painfully for her, corporate South Africa also did not bother.

“Unlike in other countries, where we see athletes getting personal endorsements as Olympians, that did not happen for me. There was no one showing interest in helping out, even though it was being said my achievement was major.”

Even after her appearance, albeit not the kind to shout home about, Phalula did not find herself being celebrated or attracting support that would have perhaps made her want to go to the next Games and do better.

“When I look back at it now, it was a waste and that’s why I did not bother to try and qualify for Tokyo and Paris because I was disappointed and discouraged by my Rio experience. I would rather run the smaller races like the Absa and Spar and make money from that.”

And she is not surprised that there have not been any other black females pushing to qualify for the Olympic marathon or even just do well in marathons because she had “nothing to show for it”.

The Boxer Athletics Club runner believes, though, that there are talented black female runners who are capable of following in her footsteps and making it to the Olympics.

“There are a lot of young black girls who are very talented but they rush to go run on the road – they do the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons because the coverage and sponsors are on the ultras. I’ve seen a lot of talented girls in cross-country and my hope is that we do not rush them into marathons.

“I believe you need to be 30 to start doing marathons. But to keep these young girls on the track and in cross-country, we need sponsorships. Corporate South Africa must come on board.”