Sound athletics advice

Press, 8 October 1988, Page 23

Sound athletics advice

The AAA Guide to Better Athletics. Edited by Tony Ward. Pan, 1988. 160 pp. $23.95. (Reviewed by Rod Dew)

The experience and knowledge of athletes who have proved themselves at the highest levels are offered in this useful publication, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Association in England. Such well-known performers as David Moorcroft (middle and long distances), Linford Christie (sprints), David Hemery (400 m hurdles), and Geoff Capes (shot) provide excellent, easy-to-understand advice. Aspiring athletes would find this an excellent introduction, and even those well on the way to competitive success would find something of interest.

Mark Shearman deserves special praise for the photography. There are first-class magic-eye sequences, and some spectacular action shots of British athletes. The foreword is provided by the reigning Commonwealth 1500 m and 800 m champion, Steve Cram, whose words of wisdom are timely. He emphasises the need for a good coach, and warns that prospective athletes need to prepare themselves to deal

with both success and failure. "Every career, no matter how great, has had its up and downs.” Cram might well benefit from his own advice after his disappointments at the Seoul Olympic Games.