Former Olympians recall their time in the spotlight

3:47pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

WITH the glitz and glamour of the Beijing Olympic Games currently dazzling the world, the Guardian’s CHARLIE CAMPBELL spoke to sporting heroes from humbler times.

IN China, a total of 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events within 28 sports in a total of 37 venues, including 12 purpose-built ones.

When the Olympics come to London the projected cost is expected to reach almost £10billion – a staggering amount to some proud athletes who excelled for Great Britain in past years.

Dorothy Manley, 81, of Woodford Green, worked as a typist when she won a silver medal in the 100m sprint the last time the Games came to London in 1948.

She said: “It’s very different. I didn’t like this year’s opening ceremony for a start as I don’t hold with all that razzamatazz as it’s not important for the games.

“Nowadays athletes are already training for London Games 2012 but I only had four months to train back then.

“I was terribly nervous as I hadn’t competed in any event before, so it was exciting but nerve-racking at the same time.

“They do such a lot of intensive training now and the athletes seem to be training for months on end.”

And Mrs Manley is also critical of modern millionaire superstars who only seem to compete in the games to raise their profiles.

She added: “I think money has spoiled sport when you think what footballers earn – and it’s all because of a blessing.

“We didn’t do it for money but just as we loved to run and thought we might be able to please other people when they saw us.”

Dave Chapman, 73, helped to run Chapman’s Butchers in Woodford Green High Road when he competed for Great Britain in the Steeplechase at the 1960 Rome Olympics.

He said: “Obviously it’s a great deal more professional now, even for the amateur sports.

“I’ve just been watching the cycling and they have been working with British Aerospace and Formula One Teams which is amazing when you consider we ran on cinder tracks in leather shoes.

“Diet is also a great deal more scientific and we kept an eye on it, but words like carbohydrate and protein weren’t known about.”

“I didn’t earn a shilling from athletics but maybe my tube fare from Woodford to White City to train.

“But that’s just the way sport has gone now with Frank Lampard’s £137,000-a-week contract and the cricket 20/20 game taking over. I still enjoy watching all sports though.”

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