Monday, 1st March 2010 - 22:56CET
Malta Marathon result to stand despite lead car controversy
Hicham El Barouki and Abdelhakimi El Fehi have been confirmed as the winner and runner-up respectively of the 25th Land Rover Malta Marathon.
The Malta Marathon Organising Committee in a statement this evening referred to the incident on Sunday when the lead car took a wrong route, throwing the four front-runners off the course.
The two Moroccans continued the race despite having to cover an extra three kilometers but pre-race favourite Neals Strik of Holland, and local hopeful Jonathan Balzan had to abandon the race.
"For this incident, the Malta Marathon Organising Committee (MMOC) accepts full responsibility," the MMOC statement said. "We have consulted the IAAF rule book in light of the following facts: a) the Moroccan athletes ran further than the official race distance; b) they were under the visual supervision of a race official at all times; and c) by running off course the athletes did not gain any material advantage.
"For all of the above reasons the MMOC has officially awarded the Moroccans first and second place in the 25th Malta Marathon 2010.
"Without in any way wishing to play down the negative impact of this incident on the four runners concerned, the MMOC has already held open and candid meetings with the Moroccan and Dutch runners concerned and all three have expressed themselves completely satisfied with the way the unfortunate incident has been handled by the MMOC.
"All three have kindly accepted the MMOC's invitation to return to Malta next year to once again take part in the Malta Marathon."
The MMOC said that even with the best will in the world, there is no way this incident could be undone.
"We intend to reasonably compensate Jonathan Balzan for prize money he may have been denied by this incident despite the fact that his own stated anticipated predicted time would not have entitled him to any prize money," the statement added.
"The MMOC feels this compensation could enable him to run a marathon abroad in lieu of this missed opportunity."
The MMOC said it deeply regretted the incident and was willing to do everything humanly possible to ensure that it would never happen again.
It added that last Sunday's event was an immensely satisfying one for the vast majority of participants in the record entry field of over 1,400 competitors.
"We would like to once again express our appreciative thanks for the vital role played by our sponsor, partners, government agencies, officials, and helpers," the committee concluded.
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Comments
I totally agree that every single participant is committed in his own way.
Although the race magazine does mention the yellow line and not the Lead Car, the latter was placed in front of the leading runners who would not be expected to look out for the yellow line.
"The issue is not Jonathan's commitment - it's the fact that prize money is awarded according to the finishing time and not the commitment the athlete delivers! Every athlete (myself included) who finished the race put in the commitment to deliver the best performance possible ... that does not entitle one to any prize money"
Jonathan's stated time was below 2 hrs 30 mins.as a runner yourself and have booklet given wth your number, look what PRIZE AWARDS for bonuses state and what he would have been entitled. No one else better than me can clearly state what happened, lies and misinformaton are still going despite the release issued!!! So justify your comments now!! Seems ur picking only on Jonathan whereas the others have been compensated. Any compensation will never make up what he's going through for a mistake by others.
As for the 2 Moroccans they were redirected in the race. FOR Jonathan & the Dutch no officials were sent! I can witness that I personally was told to go and STOP them from continuing by the organizers themselves.You think this is fair?!
Before you comment further plse be aware of true facts!!
nobody is criticising jonathan's committment, but it would seem that he was not the only athlete who suffered from the same mistake - however the others completed the race, whilst he retired. i do not understand why he could not have done the same thing.
However unlike Blazan, the winner did not sulk and stop but continued despite a detour, and was eventually rightfully crowned. What I don't get is why didn't Balzan continue like the two Moroccans did? And why on earth is he going to be remunerated for getting disqualified due to his own actions (failure to follow the leading car, no matter what)? That's not fair sport. Who cares if he's one hundred times better or had the potential...he didn't make and that's that, no? So next time I'll complain about not being given enough water (not true) and hence failing to come first....oh come on!
_ M M O C _ taf x' ghandek taghmel WARAB ghax FROGA sarret.......................
A few years ago I attempted to apply from overseas. The fax number on the website did not work, the email address did not worka nd there was no way of applying online. SO I ahd to call family in Malta to apply for me. When I brought this up to the organizers on registration, one of the top people at the MMOC just laughed it off as insignificant. Then I ahd numerous marsahlling issues with traffic not stopping.
Something has to be done.
"We intend to reasonably compensate Jonathan Balzan for prize money he may have been denied by this incident despite the fact that his own stated anticipated predicted time would not have entitled him to any prize money,"
The issue is not Jonathan's commitment - it's the fact that prize money is awarded according to the finishing time and not the commitment the athlete delivers! Every athlete (myself included) who finished the race put in the commitment to deliver the best performance possible ... that does not entitle one to any prize money.
Can you do it better? If so am sure the organising committee would love to have you on board. Yes it is an unpardonable mistake but for heaven's sake give these guys some slack.
Mistakes happen to the best of us - see the issues and mess ups that the Vancouver Olympics were faced with
these THINGS NEVER HAPPEN !! MA noqodux ninhbew wara l volontarjat......event ta din ix xorta professjonalita trid !
I am not condoning or playing down the mistake far from it, but come one guys give these people some slack, they work hard to organise such an event. Having said that if you think you are capable why not offer your voluntary services like they do?
@ Joseph Schembri
What makes you think it was undeserved? Do you know the commitment Jonathan Balzan has towards this sport? Have you seen his successes in the last years? Probably not, so please refrain from putting stupid comments which are unjust..
There is no doubt that this incident was uncalled for and obviously I feel for the athletes who had trained for the event but unfortunately sometimes these things happen.
Remindas me of the maltese folk story 'in-naghag ta bendu'