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Sporting Witness: Josia Thugwane - South African Marathon Hero

Documentaries

Josia Thugwane - South African marathon hero

20/02/2016 GMT

Josia Thugwane - South African Marathon Hero

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, Josia Thugwane - South African Marathon Hero

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

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 BBC World Service.

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

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