The South African cycling federation, Cycling SA, has announced that Morne Blignaut will be suspended for six weeks after an incident between him and officials at the Tri-Nations meet in Bellville last month. Blignaut appealed to officials after the third race in the sprint final, believing he had been impeded by team-mate Dean Edwards. Blignaut was unhappy with the officials' response and became angry. When team manager Willie Newman attempted to calm Blignaut, an altercation ensued in which Blignaut allegedly shoved or hit Newman. Blignaut then left the velodrome, allegedly throwing his national team clothing into a dustbin first.
Blignaut will also be stripped of his SA colours for that meeting; is required to undergo a course with a sports psychologist on anger management; and will have to tender a written public apology for his behaviour at the Tri-Nations. A further six months suspension, which will itself be suspended for a period of one year, will be imposed for any further infraction of Rule 12.1.005 (bringing the sport into disrepute). Finally, Blignaut has been fined the Swiss franc equivalent of R2,000, and he also has to pay all the legal costs incurred by Cycling SA.
