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Photo COURTESY OF ERIC GILCRHEST
Zola Budd Pieterse won the 5,000 meters in 18:34.40 last weekend at the St. Augustine's track in Raleigh.
Zola Budd Pieterse won the 5,000 meters in 18:34.40 last weekend at the St. Augustine's track in Raleigh.
A problem has followed Zola Budd for more than two decades. She can't run in an event without someone mentioning Mary Decker or the 1984 Summer Olympics. When Budd, a South African distance runner, plans to run at a track meet, people want her to speak about the incident.
"When people tell me they remember me," Budd said, "it's because of Mary and the incident and that's about it."
Last weekend Budd came to Raleigh to race in the 41st Southeastern Masters Track and Field meet. At the banquet last Friday she gave a brief speech but didn't mention her race with Decker.
For the past 26 years, Budd has attempted to run away from that dusky afternoon in Los Angeles that changed her life forever. With honesty though, Budd realizes people will always remember her for that moment and she will truly never escape it.
"I think everything in your life, even with great tragedy, you have to live through it," said Zola Budd Pieterse, who married her husband Michael in 1989.
Budd, one of the few athletes of her era to still be competing, became infamous for her collision with Decker in the late stages of the 3,000 meters. After Budd passed Decker, the top U.S. runner, the two women tangled legs. Budd tried to establish a new pace, but Decker stepped on her left heel. Decker fell to the infield and stayed there with an injured left hip.
As for Budd, she faded and finished seventh.
Many of the track athletes at the banquet wanted to get a glimpse of Budd. Terry Ozell, 57, came from Atlanta to race against Budd. The pair discussed their upcoming 5,000 race and out of respect, Ozell didn't ask about 1984.
Other runners like Lynda DeBoer, 51, came from Toronto to ask Budd about that day.
Was it your fault she fell?
Could you have won a medal if Mary didn't fall?
Did Mary ever accept your apology?
The challenge for Budd, whether she runs in Raleigh or anywhere else, is to explain to others why she keeps competing in the sport that almost engulfed her at the age of 18.
Going back
Budd, 45, answered all the questions about the 1984 Olympics.
"There were some tough years after that," she said.
Budd attracted fans running barefoot, a rarity for international competition, and was seen as a prodigy for breaking Decker's world record in the 5,000.
At the Olympics Budd heard 85,000 spectators roar one word at her: Boo.
Budd did apologize, but the world watched Decker yell two harsh words at Budd: "Don't bother!"
When Budd returned to London a death threat had arrived.
"To go through all that for such a young girl ... I think it had to be much more devastating than it would be to an adult," DeBoer said.
Budd quit running a few times. She stopped after getting married, after the 1992 Olympics and when she gave birth to twins.
"I wanted a life outside of running," Budd said.
When Budd moved her family to Myrtle Beach, S.C., three years ago, she slowly started competing in select events.
So what led her back to running?
"My kids are so creative you get energy from them," Budd said. "I think [1984] was actually a blessing because I learned so much."
She also started thinking about her favorite moment running rather than anxiously anticipating questions about Decker.
She was 15, back when she trained running barefoot through her family's farm in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa. Budd won her first championship, a junior national title, in the 800 meters.
"I was just amazed that I actually could do it," said Budd as she smiled. "I remember all the kids that won got a red bag."
She still has the Saambou Bank-sponsored bag. Budd said she no longer has to worry about her time, the distance or the destination - which makes running more like her childhood days rather than her Olympic ones.
"You shouldn't lose your passion for something that you love doing," she said.
Inspirational
Don Lein, president of the Southeastern Masters, met Budd at the Masters Half Marathon Championships in Melbourne, Fla. in early February.
He noticed Budd walking on the track barefoot with her sneakers tied together around her neck. He knew getting a former Olympian of Budd's profile to Raleigh would be special.
"She's aware of the value she has to the sport, and the impact she has on other runners," Lein said.
That was evident last Saturday at St. Augustine's track. Budd signed autographs and took photos with many of the other 192 competitors, including DeBoer and Ozell.
Budd - who ran in bright yellow and orange shoes - won the 1,500 meters race in 5:05.42. She also won the 5,000 in 18:34.40. She plans to race in the meet next year.
"I think everyone had their eyes on her," DeBoer said. "When you see someone like that who was at the apex that's still coming out ... how can that not be inspirational?"
In her 5,000 race, Ozell said Budd's running form hadn't change since the 1980s.
"She's so smooth," said Ozell, who had Budd autograph the back of her T-shirt. "I wasn't really excited to run three miles, but I thought, 'Oh man, I'm running with an Olympian.'"
Budd lapped Ozell a few times during their race. That didn't bother Ozell. Instead, Ozell gave a message to Budd every time she passed her.
"Go Zola go."