Sydney Maree

Sydney Maree (born 1956-09-09) is a former middle distance runner who competed at the international level in the 1980s. He was born in South Africa, in the dusty mining town of Cullinan, east of Pretoria, but later became a U.S. citizen, running for the United States in the 5000 meters at the 1987 IAAF World Championships in Athletics (11th place) and 1988 Olympic Games (where he finished in fifth place in the final). He attended Villanova University where he was NCAA All American in cross country, two time NCAA champion in the 1500 meters (1980 & 1981) and once in the 5000 meters (1979).

Maree's greatest success came in August 1983 when he broke Steve Ovett's world record over 1500 m at a meeting in Cologne. Maree clocked 3:31.24 min. Two years later, Maree broke the 3:30 min-barrier when he set a new US record of 3:29.77 min. However, this was not a world record as a few weeks before Steve Cram and Said Aouita had already run 3:29.67 and 3:29.71 min respectively. Maree was an excellent 5000 m runner, as well. In Oslo in 1985 he set a new US record at 13:01.15 min. finishing just behind Aouita who set a world record.

Maree's personal bests include the aforementioned 3:29.77 for the 1500 meters (1985, the American Record for 21 years until 2006), 3:48.83 for the mile (1981), 4:54.20 in the 2000 meters (1985, an American Record at the time), 7:33.37 for 3000 meters (1984, also an AR at the time), and the previously mentioned AR of 13:01.15 in the 5000 meters. He also won the inaugural Fifth Avenue Mile in 1981 with 3:47, still one of the best times.

Maree is married with five children. In 1995 he moved back to South Africa, later forming the asset management group Franklin Zamani, in Johannesburg, of which he became the CEO.

Criminal Charges and Sentencing

On 14 August 2008 Maree was sentenced to 5 years on charges of fraud.He transfered R900 000 from the National Empowerment fund to his own bank account.

He was convicted in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 2 charges of fraud. He was granted leave to appeal and his bail has been extended to R20 000.

References

* [http://www.thepresidency.gov.za/orders_list.asp?show=164 Profile]