Today in SA sport history: March 23
1986 — Zola Budd retains her women’s world cross-country championship crown in Neuchatel, Switzerland in dominant fashion, winning by 18 seconds. Lynn Jennings of the US was second and France’s Annette Sergent third.
Lamine Diack of Senegal, vice-president of the IAAF governing body, refused to hand over the medals, objecting to the South African’s presence on the podium, but a Swiss politician took over the presentation duties. Budd remains the only SA-born runner to have won silverware at the world cross-country championships...You’ve always trusted us to help you navigate the world. Support the Sunday Times by becoming a premium member for only R80 and keep the conversation going. You can cancel anytime.