THE ED ’ S DESK the ed ’ s desk by SEAN FALCONER
Sean Falconer
THE ED ’ S DESK the ed ’ s desk by SEAN FALCONER
Olympic Memories
In a few days ’ time , the 33 rd Summer Olympics begin in Paris , France , and I ’ m getting ready to cheer our athletes on . I love watching the world ’ s greatest sporting spectacle ( and greatest athletics meet ), and over the years I can think of so many standout highlights , but there are three in particular that remain my all-time favourites . And of course , they ’ re all from athletics , but that really shouldn ’ t be a surprise , given my line of work …
Elation for Elana …
In 1992 , with South Africa finally back on the global sporting stage after years of isolation , Elana Meyer made us so proud when she qualified for the final of the women ’ s 10,000m . Not only that , she looked like she could even win it , so we were all ready to sit in front of our TV screens that evening and watch all 25 laps of her race ! The problem was , I had a school commitment that evening , and so my father had to drive into town to pick me up just as the race was starting .
I remember how we drove the five kays home listening to the Radio 2000 commentary of the first few laps . Once home , we found a spot in front of the TV and the whole family sat glued to the screen as Elana took the silver medal , then did that unforgettable lap of honour with the gold medallist , Derartu Tulu of Ethiopia , in what remains one of the most iconic Olympic moments of camaraderie and sporting goodwill .
Jumping for Josiah …
Just four years later the country had its first post-isolation gold medals , thanks to swimmer Penny Heyns and marathoner Josiah Thugwane . That men ’ s marathon was electrifying for us South Africans as our trio of men moved to the front of the lead pack and ran next to each other , sending a message that the South Africans were back where they belong . Later , when Josiah opened a narrow lead with a few kays to go , thanks to an audacious tactical surge at a refreshment station , I think all of us watching in SA went crazy … and then we went even crazier when he held on to win the gold medal .
I remember I simply could not stay seated as Josiah entered the stadium , only just ahead of the next two athletes , and I ended up standing right in front of the TV , shouting at the screen , cheering for him , pumping my arms , willing him to keep going , to start sprinting , to take the gold . And man , when he did it , I actually ran around the lounge a few times , doing my own victory lap !
Working for Wayde …
Then came Wayde van Niekerk ’ s 400m win in 2016 … He was the reigning World Champion , but was drawn in lane eight for the final , the hardest lane to run in because you can ’ t see any of the other athletes due to the staggered start . Wayde therefore just went flat-out , and back home in SA , we went flat-out crazy when he hit the home stretch in the lead , and actually pulled away from the rest of the field , posting that incredible World Record 43.03 .
I was now a bit older , and I ’ d like to think a bit wiser , but yet again , there I was , jumping up and down , shouting at the screen , trying to will Wayde to the win . Yes , of course , I knew he couldn ’ t hear me , but when has that ever stopped a passionate sports fan from shouting at a television screen ? I know that the 400m is one of the most brutal events on the track , and I felt like I was doing my part to help him keep those exhausted legs turning over .
Hopes for Paris …
Those are all priceless memories , and I ’ m really hoping that these 2024 Olympics will produce a few more for us South Africans fans . I don ’ t measure Olympic success purely on the medal count , as I believe just qualifying for the Games is a superhuman feat in itself , but watching one of our own claim a medal is just so special . And I will undoubtedly be shouting at my screen again in the next few weeks !
Speaking of our Olympians , we have a few in this edition of the mag : Gerda Steyn , Zakithi Nene and Miranda Coetzee , and another great read about the upcoming Games is Norrie Williamson ’ s column , where he takes us down memory lane with the classic 1981 film Chariots of Fire , about the 1924 Olympics in Paris . We also have an interview with new SA 10km women ’ s recordholder Glenrose Xaba , and the inspirational stories of two fundraising runners , Chad Markgraaf and Harry Bailey .
Enjoy the read , folks , and enjoy the Olympics !
Sean Falconer
Image : Chris Hitchcock & courtesy Olympedia
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