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Josia Thugwane - South African Marathon Hero

The forgotten story of the first black South African to win an Olympic gold in athletics in 1996.

In 1996, Josia Thugwane won the closest marathon in Olympic history and became the first black South African to take a gold medal in athletics. Thugwane's victory was cheered by millions - including the sports-mad president, Nelson Mandela - but his story has now been largely forgotten in South Africa. He talks to Lisa Needham. The programme is a Sparklab Production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Service.

(Photo: Josia Thugwane after winning the 1996 Olympic Marathon. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Feb 2016 02:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 20 Feb 2016 00:50GMT
  • Tue 23 Feb 2016 09:50GMT
  • Tue 23 Feb 2016 13:50GMT
  • Tue 23 Feb 2016 23:50GMT
  • Wed 24 Feb 2016 02:50GMT

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