ATLANTA 1996 Olympics marathon champion Josia Thugwane may have hung up his competitive running shoes, but he wants to plough back into the community of Mpumalanga.

To this end, Thugwane is planning to either start a new athletics club or to help revive the Ekangala Athletics Club.

"I really want to do something in developing athletics in Mpumalanga," he said. "That was always the number one priority when I was still a runner.

"I'm one of the best marathon champions in the world because of the support I received from the community.

"I strongly believe Mpumalanga has many youngsters who have what it takes to win national and global competitions.

"When I went to compete at the Atlanta Olympics, many people did not give me a chance of even finishing well inside the top 10 bracket.

"Winning gold surprised many of them but not me, because I worked hard, very hard. I knew that I needed to win a medal to be successful in life, which is the case now.

"There is talent in abundance (in Mpumalanga). I want to unearth two or three Olympic medal winners," said Thugwane.

He is planning to approach mining companies in the province for funding.