The Athletics Illustrated Person of the Week honours for the week of
August 31, 2020, goes to New Zealand masters runner and two-time Olympian Robbie Johnston. Johnston won the 50-54
age-group cross-country race in Dunedin, but that is not why he is named Person of the Week…
Robbie Johnston was DQ’d when he crossed the finish line at the Athletics New Zealand Cross-Country Challenge on Saturday, having spat.
The two-time Olympian was warming down after the win when he was informed of the DQ. He had raced in the masters men’s 50-54 age group in the race that was held in Dunedin.
The veteran was alleged to have been spotted twice spitting on the Chisholm Links course during the 8-kilometre race. Imagine if he started sweating.
Fellow Kiwi veterans declared that “the world has gone mad.”
See his profile at World Athletics
The Athletics Illustrated Person of the Week recognition is an endeavor that aims to recognise noteworthy or newsworthy achievements, actions or events in the sport of athletics by individuals who are involved or have affected the sport in some way.
The weekly decision will be the discretion of Athletics Illustrated, however, input from readers is welcome.
At the end of each year, the Person of the Week honours will be reviewed and featured along with a Person of the Year recognition taken from the list of weekly honours.
If you feel someone should be recognised, please register, login, and provide the person’s name and reason.
