SMJO wrote:
Didn't Ovett have a really bad falling out with Norman. I really don't think they were best friends in recent years.
Allegedly triggered by the late Mr Norman coupling with a lady who was not his wife which resulted in a broken sofa at Ovett Towers
But that could just be a scurrilous rumour about a much loved and respected man that had made enemies.
Don't forget his involvement in the 1989 AAA's 1500m incident concerning the payment made to Steve Ovett and the pressure brought to bear on him not to pull out. I remember watching Ovett being interviewed crying after the race by Rosenthal and thinking this is really bizarre.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010722/ai_n14409783
race here
Here are the facts:
1. Andy Norman spread vicious, and entirely unfounded rumours about Cliff Temple.
2. Norman, whenever threatened, would reply by insinuating mis-conduct by his target, who was Cliff Temple. Norman, during his time, also threatened to spread false rumours about Dave Bedford, Steve Ovett and even celebrated Times journalist Pat Butcher, and Steven Downes (another noteworthy athletics journalist). We can see, therefore, that Norman had a history of spreading rumours and exaggeration about many people he did not like, for whatever reasons.
3. Norman threatened to suggest that Temple had a relationship with Shireen Bailey (a 1984 Olympic 800m finallist), something which Bailey confirmed was entirely false. There was no base for this.
4. The recording of Norman's threats to Temple were broadcast on British television (Temple had recorded the phone call). Faced with such conclusive proof, Norman was fired from his job at the then British Athletic Federation.
5.In Cliff's case, he was already depressed over the break up of his marriage, but according to the official coroner's inquiry into the suicide, Norman's threats tipped Temple "over the edge".
The truth needs to be mentioned, because that might help repair some of the harm done by people who have spread the false rumours about Cliff, bringing continued distress to the Temple family.
And the full story is still available via Amazon in Running Scared: How Athletics Lost Its Innocence, written by Duncan Mackay and Steven Downes.
source: One of the journalists who had inside knowledge of the case.
Ghost in Korea
Also the fact that when the drug testers arrived in Lanzerote and subsequently busted Jeff Gutteridge (the first Briton to be caught by an out of competition test) an number of Brits training at the same venue packed their bags and caught the first flight out.
That group of athletes allegedly included Mr Norman's future wife.
Probably all a coincidence, but who knows?
really good guy, was the first guy to reach out to help me as well when I was coming onto the scene.
Always gave you the opportunity to prove yourself and told you simply how you did
Clearly an athletics man with the best interests of the sport close to his heart,
Sadly missed, if only someone esle ahd the same tenacity to affect athletics in the same manner Mr Norman did.
Cheers Andy
Front page reads "arguable the most..." Pleeeeease fix that.
Ghost, I believe your summary of the position is very accurate, recalling both the Running Scared chapter and the detail that ceme into the public domain via the inquest.
Reminded me of Iago.
I don't see how any objective view of his contribution can look away from this
Andy Norman once got me into the AAA's at the Chrystal Palace back in the 70's. I had been recovering from an injury and hoped to perform well enough to be invited back the next year and perhaps to some other meetings he was involved with. After pushing the pace for the middle part of the race, my lack of race fitness began to show and I finished 6th or 7th. Afterwards, he made it a point to find me and tell me there was no shame when you put your body out there and see how far and fast you can go, even if youre not happy with the results. He said he would take a racer any day into one of his meets. That is my recollection of the man.
I pay respects to that memory and condolences to his wife and son.
Ex-wife you mean.
Remember the story of the cash that was 'stolen' from his hotel room.
He was a character and a half!
Great guy, one of the few no BS characters out there, worked damn hard for the betterment of the sport. Did have his flaws, but he who has not sinned cast the first stone. No great virtues without vice and all that. Will miss seeing him about