Burglar jeopardised Bowdin’s hopes

Press, 1 August 1989, Page 48

Burglar jeopardised Bowdin’s hopes

A thief has jeopardised Scott Bowden’s hopes of making a hit at the British athletics championships in two weeks time. On the eve of his overseas departure, the Christchurch track sprinter returned home from work yesterday to discover the family house had been burgled. Among the items stolen was a

pair of orthotics, inner soles made of carbon fibre which are fitted inside; his spiked running shoes.': 'f : . The special soles are essential equipment for Bowden, who is back on the athletics scene in a big way after being troubled last year by niggling hamstring injuries, whicir were traced to a

curvature of the spine problem. ' ? can’t- ruh without the orthotics,” Bowden said yesterday. “They cost $3OO a pair,, but the chief problem is that a replace-, ment set would take about' a month to make. “Still, I’m going ahead with my travel plans, and just hope that someone

finds the solestnqd|hands them in.” ■ Bowden also $3500 in foreign Currency and - traveller’s; chemies in the break-in, and fas especi- . ally' ’grieved bi the theft of a sports bags which he received : when representing'. New Zealand at the World Junior Games in -Athens in 1986. ft is of great,, senti-

mental value to me;” he said. “It is the only one of its kind in the South Island — it is a black bag with a silver fem and the number two at the end.” '; ; ? : The ’ .burglary ;is the second at the Bowden house in two months. On the previous occasion the athlete’s black , track suit was among the .'stolen items.