South African Mulaudzi was travelling to an athletics meeting in Johannesburg yesterday when the accident occurred.

The Transvaal Province runner, who retired last year, was a flag bearer for his country at the Opening Ceremony of Athens 2004, where he won an Olympic silver medal.

The former world number one won 800m gold medals at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 2004 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Indoor Championships in Budapest.

Silver medals at the 2006 and 2008 World Indoor Championships followed before Mulaudzi claimed gold at the IAAF World Championships in Berlin to add to the bronze he won in 2003.

"We are deeply saddened and shocked by the unexpected death of our Olympian, Mbulaeni Mulaudzi," said Tubby Reddy, chief executive of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

"We have lost yet another icon in South African sport who raised the nation's flag high in international sporting events.

"We mourn with Mulaudzi's family and friends.

"May his soul rest in eternal peace.

"We will always remember the legacy he has left in South African sport."

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi triumphed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester
©Getty Images




Gideon Sam, President of the SASCOC, added: "We are shocked and saddened by the untimely death of one of South Africa's most gentle athletes. 

"Our sincere condolences go to his family and the entire athletics family here and worldwide."

Mulaudzi's compatriots Caster Semenya, 800m world champion in 2009, and Khotso Mokoena, Olympic long jump silver medallist at Beijing 2008, have taken to Twitter to pay their respects. 

"Just lost a brother, a friend, a very good friend," tweeted Semenya.

"May your soul rest in peace.

"I love you man, will always love you CHAMP."

Mokoena tweeted: "I have lost a brother, a friend, a champion.

"Sad news to my soul.

"Will miss you my brother.

"RIP.

"Death be not proud."

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (centre) clutches the 800m gold medal at the 2009 IAAF World Championships ©Getty Images

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, also paid tribute to the Mulaudzi.

"Our sympathies go to his family and friends, and to the whole sports family of the rainbow nation of South Africa," he said. 

"Mbulaeni Mulaudzi was a true Olympian and a fine athlete.

"A world champion, he always showed huge commitment to his craft.

"He proudly represented his new nation around the world, and at home his successes inspired a new generation of young people to take up sport.

"He will be missed by the Olympic family."

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