The Olympic Fall That Changed Our Lives

Zola Budd and Mary Decker raced one of the most highly contested and controversial races in the history of athletics, but it ended in disaster. It was the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the race had garnered huge attention in the media, with the world's focus on the two runners with record potential. Zola was a shy and naive 18-year-old girl from a farm in South Africa, competing amidst massive controversy for Great Britain. Mary was 26, an all-American girl and favourite for the Gold medal. Three laps before the end of the race, Mary fell and was left weeping in agony on the infield as the crowd booed Zola Budd. But did Mary fall or was she tripped? The controversy echoed around the world, but now the two runners are reunited. Image: Zola Budd and Mary Decker at the 1984 Olympics Credit: Getty Images