Doping Scandal Ends Nkosikhona Mhlakwan’s Hollywood Athletics Tenure

Image: SABC Sports Website

Prominent long-distance runner Nkosikhona Mhlakwana has had his contract with Hollywood Athletics Club terminated after receiving a three-year ban for a doping offense. This follows an in-competition test at the Two Oceans 56km ultra-marathon on April 5, which revealed the presence of Erythropoietin (EPO), a substance strictly forbidden under the World Anti-Doping Code.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) imposed the ban, which was reduced from four years to three due to Mhlakwana's early admission of the violation. His suspension began on June 11 and will continue until June 11, 2028.

Hollywood Athletics manager Manfred Seidler confirmed to SABC Sport that cancelling the contract is standard procedure when an athlete tests positive for a banned substance. As Seidler explained, "A standard sponsorship contract like this one stipulates that once you test positive for a banned substance, your contract gets cancelled."

Seidler and the club's management met with Mhlakwana, urging him to identify those who supplied him with the banned substance.

Seidler stressed that doping's impact goes "beyond the individual athlete," and while the anti-doping stance holds athletes "guilty until proven innocent," the distributors often evade accountability. It remains Mhlakwana's decision whether to disclose these names to SAIDS.

The consequences for Mhlakwana are severe. He will lose his fourth-place finish and associated prize money from the 56km ultra-marathon, resulting in the athlete who finished eleventh moving into the top ten. Beyond the athletic penalties, Seidler is particularly concerned about Mhlakwana's mental well-being.

The ban means losing his entire livelihood, including monthly stipends from the Purple Team and sponsorship deals with Puma and others.

Seidler noted that athletes often "tend to go into their shells and enter a depressing state" after such incidents. Despite the difficult situation, Seidler praised Mhlakwana's character and cooperation, confirming that support structures, including counseling, are available to him.