Zola Budd

3.1. World Record in 5000 metres

Budd first achieved international fame in early 1984, at the age of 17, when she broke the world record in the 5000 metres with a time of 15:01.83. However, this performance, set in South Africa, was not officially ratified by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) because South Africa was excluded from international athletics competition due to its apartheid policy. The following year, in 1985, while representing Great Britain, Budd officially claimed the world record by clocking a time of 14:48.07. This achievement, set in London, reduced the previous world record by ten seconds.

3.2. British Citizenship and Political Controversy

The British tabloid newspaper, the Daily Mail, played a pivotal role in persuading Budd's father to encourage her to apply for British citizenship. The basis for this application was her grandfather's British nationality, a move designed to circumvent the international sporting boycott of South Africa and enable her to compete in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. With significant backing from the Daily Mail, her application for British citizenship was processed with unusual speed, allowing her to acquire a passport in a remarkably short period compared to typical naturalization procedures, which often required applicants to wait years. This rapid processing and her subsequent arrival in Guildford, England, ignited widespread controversy. Groups advocating for the abolition of apartheid actively campaigned against her presence, highlighting the preferential treatment she received.

Shortly after her arrival, Budd was compelled to withdraw from a 1500 metres race in Crawley, Sussex. The town council rescinded their invitation at short notice, with Mayor Alf Pegler stating that council members were concerned the event's local significance would be overshadowed by "political connotations and anti-apartheid demonstrators." Her first competitive race in Britain took place on a cinder track at Central Park in Dartford, Kent, where she completed 3000 metres in 9:02.6 in a race broadcast live on the BBC's Grandstand. She continued to compete in Britain, winning the UK Championships 1500 metres in 4:04 and the 3000 metres in the UK Olympic trials with a time of 8:40, securing her place on the British Olympic team. In July 1984, at Crystal Palace, she set a new world record of 5:33.15 in the 2000 metres. During this race, BBC commentator David Coleman famously declared, "The message will now be flashed around the world - Zola Budd is no myth." While in Britain, Budd trained with the Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club.

3.3. 1984 Olympic 3000 metres Incident

The 3000 metres race at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, was heavily publicized as a direct confrontation between Zola Budd and American world champion Mary Decker. Despite this media narrative, experts also considered Romanian runner Maricica Puică, who had set the fastest time that year, to be a primary contender.

Decker initiated a fast pace from the start, with Budd in close pursuit, followed by Puică and Britain's Wendy Sly. As the pace slightly decelerated just past the midway point of the race, Budd moved into the lead on the straightaway, running wide of the main pack around the turn. By setting the pace, she created a clear separation for herself, Decker, Sly, and Puică from the rest of the field. This formation, with multiple elite runners tightly grouped, was an unfamiliar situation for both Budd and Decker, who were accustomed to leading races well ahead of other competitors.

At approximately 1700 metres into the race, the first contact occurred when Decker came into contact with one of Budd's legs, causing Budd to lose her balance slightly. However, both athletes managed to maintain their positions. Five strides later, at a race time of 4:58, Budd and Decker made contact again. Budd's left foot brushed against Decker's thigh, which caused Budd to lose her balance and veer into Decker's path. Decker's spiked running shoe then landed hard on Budd's ankle, just above the heel, drawing blood. Subsequent videotape analysis by Olympic officials confirmed Budd's visible pain, yet she managed to maintain her equilibrium and stride.

Moments after stepping on Budd, Decker collided with the British runner again and fell to the curb, sustaining a hip injury. This fall abruptly ended her race, and she was tearfully carried off the track by her boyfriend, British discus thrower Richard Slaney. Budd, visibly shaken and deeply affected by the incident, continued to lead the race for a period but eventually faded, finishing in seventh place with a time of 8:48, which was significantly slower than her personal best of 8:37. In the tunnel after the race, Budd attempted to apologize to Decker, but a distressed Decker responded, "Don't bother!" Maricica Puică ultimately won the gold medal, with Wendy Sly taking silver and Canada's Lynn Williams securing the bronze.

Immediately following the race, media attention focused heavily on the collision, with some suggesting Budd had intentionally tripped Decker. However, an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) jury later investigated the incident and concluded that Budd was not responsible for the collision. Years later, Mary Decker reflected on the event, stating, "The reason I fell, some people think she tripped me deliberately. I happen to know that wasn't the case at all. The reason I fell is because I am and was very inexperienced in running in a pack." Track journalist Kenny Moore commented on the dynamics of pack running, noting that while a leader cannot swerve with impunity, athletes are expected to make allowances in the give-and-take of such situations.

In 2002, the incident was ranked 93rd in Channel 4's *100 Greatest Sporting Moments*. Zola Budd later revealed on an episode of *Celebrity Come Dine with Me* that she had never watched footage of the collision. In 2016, Budd and Decker reunited for a documentary about the incident titled *The Fall*.

3.4. International Competition for Great Britain

Zola Budd competed internationally for the United Kingdom throughout 1985 and 1986. In February 1985, she achieved a significant victory by becoming the World Cross Country Champion, notably defeating the formidable Ingrid Kristiansen. Despite this success, she faced several defeats on the track following this win. A particularly notable race was her rematch with Mary Decker-Slaney at Crystal Palace in July 1985, where Budd finished fourth, approximately 13 seconds behind Decker-Slaney.

However, Budd's form improved considerably after this race. She went on to set new UK and Commonwealth records in several events: the 1500 metres (3:59.96), the mile (4:17.57), the 3000 metres (8:28.83), and the 5000 metres (14:48.07). The 5000 metres time notably reduced the standing world record by ten seconds. She also secured a victory in the European Cup 3000 metres. Her personal best times in the 1500 metres, mile, and 3000 metres were all achieved in races where she competed against both Decker-Slaney and Maricica Puică, consistently finishing third behind them in these specific encounters.

The year 1986 began strongly for Budd with a successful defense of her World Cross Country title and the establishment of a world indoor 3000 metres record of 8:39.79. She also achieved a couple of fast early-season victories in the 1500 metres (4:01.93) and 3000 metres (8:34.72). However, her outdoor track season that year saw several unexpected defeats by athletes she was typically expected to surpass. She participated in both the 1500 metres and 3000 metres at the European Championships but did not secure a medal in either event, finishing 9th and 4th respectively. It was later revealed that Budd had been suffering from a painful leg injury for a significant portion of the 1986 season. Consequently, she did not compete in 1987 as she focused on receiving treatment for her injury.

3.5. Suspension and Return to South Africa

In 1988, Zola Budd resumed competitive running, participating in a few cross-country events. However, her return was met with objections from several African nations, who alleged that she had competed in an event held in South Africa. At the time, such participation was prohibited by IAAF Rule 53i, a regulation enforced due to South Africa's prevailing policy of apartheid. These nations insisted that Budd be suspended from international competition.

Budd maintained that she had only attended the event and had not actively competed. Nevertheless, the IAAF upheld the charge, issuing a resolution that clarified their interpretation of "taking part" in an athletics event: "In the opinion of the council, a person may 'take part' in an athletics event, without actually competing, in several ways. [...] What is required is for a person to be present in a capacity more than that of a mere spectator." The IAAF further stated that, based on the information provided, including Budd's own affidavit, it was clear she had "greatly exceeded the bounds of being a mere spectator at the cross-country meeting at Brakpan." This was evidenced by her presence in training gear, training on and near the course in full view of the crowd, and, by her own admission, running alongside ineligible runners in an event to support them.

Following this ruling, Budd was suspended from international competition. In response, she returned to South Africa, effectively retiring from the global athletic stage for several years.

3.6. Marriage and Autobiography

In 1989, Zola Budd married Mike Pieterse, adopting his surname and becoming Zola Pieterse. The couple later had three children. In the same year, Budd also published her autobiography, titled Zola, which she co-wrote with Hugh Eley. The book provided insights into her life and athletic career.

3.7. Re-emergence as a South African Athlete

Upon her return to South Africa, Zola Budd resumed competitive running. She had a strong season in 1991, achieving the distinction of being the second-fastest woman in the world over 3000 metres. Following South Africa's re-admission to international sport after the dismantling of apartheid, Budd was able to represent her home country once again. She competed in the 3000 metres at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain, but did not advance to the final. In 1993, she secured a fourth-place finish at the World Cross Country Championships, though she was unable to translate this strong cross-country form into similar success on the track. Despite this, Zola Budd continues to hold numerous British and South African records at both junior and senior levels, and notably still retains two junior world records: the mile and the 3000 metres.

3.8. Transition to Marathon and Long-Distance Running

After a period of track and cross-country competition, Zola Budd transitioned her focus to longer road running events, including marathons and ultramarathons. In August 2008, following allegations of her husband's affair, Budd, under her married name Pieterse, relocated with her three children to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States; her husband joined them at a later date. She initially obtained a two-year visa that permitted her to compete on the US masters' circuit. She actively participated in the South Carolina division of USA Track and Field, winning the women's division of the Dasani Half-Marathon during the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon on February 14, 2009, with a time of 1:20:41.

On January 12, 2012, she announced her intention to participate in the 2012 edition of the nearly 56 mile ^{(90 km)} long Comrades Marathon, an ultramarathon held annually in South Africa, which took place on June 3, 2012. As part of her training for the Comrades Marathon, she also competed in the Two Oceans Marathon during the Easter weekend of 2012. She successfully completed the 2012 Comrades Marathon in 8:06:09, finishing as the 37th female runner and earning a Bill Rowan Medal. Although she had planned to run the Comrades again in 2013, she withdrew due to illness.

In June 2014, Budd re-entered the Comrades Marathon with an aim to achieve an overall silver medal and a finish time under 7 hours 30 minutes. She surpassed her time target, completing the race in 6:55:55. This performance earned her a gold medal for a top 10 finish, as she was the 7th female finisher overall (the first six being at least 10 years her junior), and also a gold medal as the first 'veteran' (senior) female finisher. Budd dedicated her 2014 Comrades run to South African teacher Pierre Korkie, who had been held captive in Yemen by Al-Qaeda for one year. However, she was later stripped of her 'veteran' gold medal (though she retained her cash prize for finishing 7th overall) following accusations that she had not displayed a small age category tag on her running vest, despite the veteran designation already being visible on her running bib. Budd and her coach argued that the veteran gold and silver medals were subsequently awarded to two other runners who also did not have the required small age category tag on their vests. In September 2014, they announced that they had initiated court proceedings against the Comrades Marathon Association to have her veteran win reinstated. In March 2015, Budd won the Run Hard Columbia (SC) Marathon with a time of 3:05:27.

4.1. Family

Zola Budd married Mike Pieterse in 1989. Together, they have three children. In August 2008, Budd, using her married name Pieterse, relocated with her three children to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States. This move followed allegations of her husband having an affair, although he later joined the family in the US.

4.2. Relocation to the United States and Coaching

After moving to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in August 2008, Zola Budd initially obtained a two-year visa that allowed her to compete on the US masters' circuit. Beyond her continued athletic pursuits, she also ventured into coaching. As of July 2020, she served as an Assistant Cross Country and Girls Track Coach at Conway High School in Conway, South Carolina. Additionally, she volunteered as an assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University, also located in Conway.

4.3. Return to South Africa

After residing in the United States for over a decade, Zola Budd made the decision to relocate back to her home country of South Africa. She returned to South Africa in 2021.

6.1. Personal Bests

6.2. Major Competition Results