Hopes Destroyed Four Yards From Gold

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31143, 20 August 1966, Page 17

Hopes Destroyed Four Yards From Gold

Nothing could be worse for a fit, dedicated, athlete than to lead a race with only four strides to go. and then have a muscle injury destroy the work of years in a moment. But this was the fate of Mrs M. A. M. Stephen (Christchurch) in the final of the women’s 880 yards race at the Commonwealth Games at Jamaica. ■ When the Christchurch members of the Games team returned home yesterday, Mrs Stephen told the drama of her sensational collapse for the first time. The morning before her race, which was held at 9 p.m., Jamaica time, Mrs Stephen was advised by the team’s physiotherapist not to compete. A week earlier she had injured her Achilles tendon when she had slipped down a flight of poorly-lit steps at the games village. Leg Was Taped However, light training during the week had strengthened the muscle. When it was time for the race to begin her leg was taped and she felt confident. “Three British girls went straight into the lead when the race began,” said Mrs Stephen. “Two were in front of me and one inside me on the line. Suddenly, the one inside me barged across in front and made me stop completely. But I was not worried at this stage. “I felt on top of the world for the final and running was easy and effortless,” she said. “I have never felt so fit in my life. “I got the lead with 150 yards to go and led by two yards with four strides to go. “But I couldn’t see how far in front I was and I was afraid someone might be sprinting to pass me on the line. So I spurted with only four strides to go. to make sure of it, and hurt my tendon.

“I pulled up completely and I nearly fell off the track,” said Mrs Stephen. “I walked through the tape but if it had happened a couple of yards closer I could have lunged through and won.” She said the crowd had been with her throughout the race and a great sigh had gone round the stadium when she stopped. “It was the greatest disappointment of my life and would have capped my career. I would have broken the games record had I been able to continue. “I will have to rest my tendon,” said Mrs Stephen. “I will decide in a week or two

whether I will go on with running or retire.” “The games were disgracefully organised,” said Mrs Stephen. “They were always behind time and the athletics events finished over an hour late every night except the last. “The warming-up facilities were very poor and were on rough terrain. Only a little bit was available and it was like a desert. “It was a most disappointing games village,” she said. “As far as accommodation and cleanliness were concerned it was bad and we had dogs in our washroom. The food was not up to standard. “We had to be escorted after dark in the village. It was dangerous for a woman to be out on her own.” Mrs Stephen said, as far as she knew, no-one had stared in through the windows at the members of the New Zealand team.