His performance in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics was no fluke.

Earlier that year he had won the SA Marathon Championships, after a long period  of hard work. In 1997 he placed first in  Japan’s Fukuoka marathon and  third in the London marathon.

Yet, as the Financial Mail discovered when tracking him down this week, Thugwane, 41, is not prospering. He owns a minibus taxi, which brings in some income. 

He also hopes to cultivate vegetables and small livestock on his  plot in Bronkhorstspruit.

Although he would “love to develop young athletes, money is a problem”.

For this year’s crop of golden boys (and girls, we hope) money is not a problem in the immediate future.

R400 000 is a decent reward, though for some it is unlikely to make up for the years of sacrifice.  

Sponsorships and endorsements will come to those who are marketable and make the right connections.

A good agent or  a talent for public speaking can ease the path to cornucopia.

But we know from Thugwane’s case that a gold medal does not guarantee a shining future.

We should look more closely at the welfare of our sporting heroes, and those on the cusp of greatness.

This week we need no reminders of how important sporting success is to the national mood.

It is priceless. What can the nation do in return?

  For many, a job can be even more valuable than a cash prize.

Indian Sports Minister Ajay Maken, while in London for the Games,  has promised coaching jobs on his government’s payroll to all medal winners.

They  have 400 coaching vacancies.

 Our Sports Minister should consider something similar.

This could provide an income while the stars train and pass on their expertise to the next crop of winners.