The educated   35-year-old   must also know something about what he’s allowed to ingest when competing.

In addition, Comrades organisers have long let it be known  that tests are carried out.

In response to news that  his A-sample had tested positive for methylhexaneamine, the 2012 Comrades winner denies using any banned stimulant. His family and the ANC Youth League evidently blame racism, which is pathetic.

The top 10 men and women were tested, regardless of race. Do critics expect the lab results of black athletes to be suppressed?

Some Mamabolo supporters  base their hopes on the  defence that saw  rugby players Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson exonerated after using the same substance.

These Boks were instructed to take a particular supplement, which turned out to contain methylhexaneamine.

 The same drug featured  in the 2010 Commonwealth games. It has received wide  publicity and appears on the SA list of banned substances.

 In terms of the rules, athletes are personally responsible for whatever is found in their system.

All of this suggests that Mamabolo will have  difficulty clearing his name.

However, we should not feign shock and horror at the dope    test outcome. Drug-taking is probably as old as sporting competition.

The modern Olympics, touted as the epitome of fair play, have seen  many dope cheats.

Thomas Hicks set the tone when he won the 1904 Olympic marathon on strychnine and brandy. Cheats are caught frequently.

Mamabolo’s case is disappointing but we’ll still have an SA winner. And Comrades will remain a special event.