The Passing of Mbulaeni Mulaudzi

It is with great sadness that Athletics South Africa (ASA) has come to learn of the untimely passing of one of its greatest athlete, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi. Mr. Mulaudzi, born on 8th September 1980 tragically passed away on the 24th October 2014.

Born in Muduluni, Gauteng , he became South Africa’s first black athlete to be ranked number one in the world.

Mulaudzi died in a car crash on 24 October 2014 at the age of 34.

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi 800m Career

Mbulaeni, was a South African middle distance runner, and the 2009 world champion in the men’s 800 metres. Mbulaeni had the honour of carrying the South African flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.

His first international medal was a silver medal at the 2000 African Championships in Athletics. He competed at the 2001 World Championships in Athletics and finished sixth in his first global final. At his first Commonwealth Games, Mulaudzi won the 800m to become the 2002 Commonwealth champion. He won a bronze medal at the 2003 World Championships the following year, in addition to a silver medal from the 2003 All-Africa Games.

He came to prominence in 2004, when he won the 800m at the World Indoor Championships and at the 2004 Athens Olympics he won an Olympic silver medal. At the 2006 World Indoor Championships he won a silver medal, and he repeated the feat two years later at the 2008 edition. He represented South Africa at the 2008 Beijing Olympics but was knocked out of the 800 m at the semi-final stage.

He made the 800 m final at four consecutive World Athletics Championships, and won his first gold medal in the event in2009. He returned to competition in 2010 with a win at the Meeting Grand Prix IAAF de Dakar.

He was a warm and humble person and passionate about his sport and was always keen to assists those thousands of would-be 800m runners with advise, tips and autographs.

ASA and the sport of Athletics has lost a true son of the African soil, an exceptional athlete who will be sorely missed to our sport.

ASA extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends during their time of bereavement.