AFTER months of being the villain of the peace, Leonard Chuene deserves to be cut some slack for his readiness to accept the new Athletics South Africa regime.

AFTER months of being the villain of the peace, Leonard Chuene deserves to be cut some slack for his readiness to accept the new Athletics South Africa regime.

Some might argue that he had no other option but to concede defeat. Still, it is a measure of maturity and leadership to publicly support the new board if, as Chuene says, it is the choice of those intimately involved with athletics.

It is a pity that this epiphany seems to have come late for him, though. Until his heartfelt endorsement of the new ASA controlling body, Chuene probably competed with Ras Dumisani for the most reviled South African.

Maybe his beacon could have been saved had he been less excitable and more sensible at crucial times. Still, as all involved in sport know too well, it is not always about how you start but how you finish. Chuene has finished quiet strongly.