Gerry Lindgren on Mary Slaney vs Budd

I don't think so, was watching the race, simply a case of following too closely.

Anything on youtube or any kind of tape on that race?

There might be some truth there, at least on this point.

I have always suspected that Slaney mightve been trying to spike Budd, but we'll never know.

I have the race on tape and have watched it is slow motion and it seems pretty clear that (1) it was Slaney's fault and (2) it was just a matter of her getting too close to Budd from behind. If I remember correctly Slaney kind of kicks the bottom of Budd's foot as Budd's leg is going back and Slaney's leg is going forward, causing Budd's leg to flare out to the side and plant at a bit of a strange angle to her right. Slaney's next stride basically tripped over Budd's leg.

I think that's how it happened. I may try to find the tape and rewatch it ... I always love to see convicted drug cheats fall flat of their faces.

OK, I just rewatched it. While the lead pack is coming around the curve, you can clearly see Slaney look down at Budd's feet because she is so close to her. Slaney is running just inside of and slightly behind Budd. Right after they enter the straightaway, Budd's left leg flails forward in a strange motion. Clearly, there was some contact between Budd's left leg and Slaney's right leg. You can't see the contact because of the camera angle (from the front-right on the runners). Watching their stride cadences, it looks like Budd's left foot was going back at the same time Slaney's right knee was coming forward and Slaney's knee hit Budd's foot, causing it to "pop" forward. Budd's foot lands normally (this becomes inportant in the next contact). Budd regained control with no problem and moves slightly to the right.

About 5 strides later, the same thing appears to happen again. This time, Budd's left leg really "pops" forward indicating her foot was hit pretty forcefully. Her left leg flails out far to the left, directly in front of Slaney. She may have been able to regain control without a further problem like she did the first time; however, her foot lands at a strange angle and causes it to roll into pretty severe inversion. This delays her ability to get her foot out of the way of Slaney and when she picks it up off the ground, her foot or calf (can't tell from the video) hits into Slaney's right knee just before her foot plants. It appears that Budd's foot causes Slaney's knee to "lock" just as it plants and she loses her balance. Budd's leg again flails a little but this time it lands directly under herself and she easily regains control. At the same time, Slaney falls forward and to the left in a weird way off the track.

Zola Budd tried to apologize to Slaney after that race, in the tunnel at the stadium.

Slaney's response was, "Don't bother!"

Classy.

Every time I watch the replay I see the same thing: It was Slaney's fault.

IRemember wrote:

Zola Budd tried to apologize to Slaney after that race, in the tunnel at the stadium.

Slaney's response was, "Don't bother!"

Classy.

Every time I watch the replay I see the same thing: It was Slaney's fault.

If it was her fault then why would Zola apologize? Slaney might have realized it was her fault and been pissed about what happened.

Depends on tone of voice/body language.

The subject led me to expect pics of Gerry on Mary, though I will admit I was really hoping for Mary on Zola.

Look again wrote:

IRemember wrote:

Zola Budd tried to apologize to Slaney after that race, in the tunnel at the stadium.

Slaney's response was, "Don't bother!"

Classy.

Every time I watch the replay I see the same thing: It was Slaney's fault.

If it was her fault then why would Zola apologize? Slaney might have realized it was her fault and been pissed about what happened.

Depends on tone of voice/body language.

Word at the time was that Mary had a whole lot more to say to Zola that wasn't televised...along the lines of a tantrum..."Go away!! I won't talk to you!!", etc.

The rumor floating around Washington state at the time, allegedly the source was Doris Heritage, who I think was an Olympic coach, was that Budd and Slaney had arranged before the race to share the pacing and Slaney just got tripped up by Budd, unintentionally.

"Waaaaahhhhhhhhh! There better be a protest! Waaahhhhhhhhh!"

Having watched this numerous times, I saw salney bump Budd twice, just as the previous poster said. It may not have been intentional, but she certainly wasn't being cautious after the first bump. In addition, I seem to recall Slaney talking just before the race about how she's learned to be "physical" in her races, just like the Europeans. I also remember the quote, "she tripped me Richard....she tripped me."

SOMETIMES, too many times, I just don't know when I should keep my mouth shut. Slaney is going to be furious!

I had very little doubt, watching it, that it was Slaney's fault. There were other races when she needlessly caused contact. I remember her at Madison Square Garden basically running right up the back of some runner when there was an extremely clear path around the woman (there was no one within ten meters of them).

Did either Zola or Mary do any Hustler or Playboy photos?

Serious Odor wrote:

Did either Zola or Mary do any Hustler or Playboy photos?

Can't we ever let this lie?

Hey guys! I have an idea. Let's all bitch about Mary Slaney and blame her for her own fall in the Olympics mainly because we don't like her! What do you think?

Oh wait, I see you've already done that.

Nevermind.

The rumor floating around Washington state at the time, allegedly the source was Doris Heritage, who I think was an Olympic coach, was that Budd and Slaney had arranged before the race to share the pacing and Slaney just got tripped up by Budd, unintentionally.

"Cheaters never prosper!" :-D

ray wrote:

Having watched this numerous times, I saw salney bump Budd twice, just as the previous poster said. It may not have been intentional, but she certainly wasn't being cautious after the first bump. In addition, I seem to recall Slaney talking just before the race about how she's learned to be "physical" in her races, just like the Europeans. I also remember the quote, "she tripped me Richard....she tripped me."

You mean Zola double-crossed Mary?!! =:O LMAO

I remember this too...and how it was written up in some running mag as how "competitive" MS was...something like the other woman was in her way, so "Decker (Slaney, Tabb, whatever it was at that time) gave the woman a hard shove." Like this was a good thing.

To the poster who said we're ganging up on Mary because we don't like her, I was her biggest fan until the '84 incident. Lost some respect for her after that. But still was saddened & shocked when she got busted for drugs.