Paavo Nurmi
Finnish middle and long distance runner (1897-1973)
Zola Budd
South African competitive runner
Zola Budd was a South African middle-distance and long-distance runner who competed in the Olympics for Great Britain and South Africa. She was known for running barefoot and holding world records in the 5000 meters. Budd later moved to the USA and competed in marathons and ultramarathons before returning to South Africa.
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About the Zola Budd
Zola Buddis a South African middle-distance and long-distance runner. She competed at the 1984 Olympic Games for Great Britain and the 1992 Olympic Games for South Africa, both times in the 3000 metres. In 1984and 1985, she broke the world record in the 5000 metres. She was also a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships (1985-1986). Budd mainly trained and raced barefoot. Her mile best of 4:17.57 in 1985 stood as the British record for 38 years until Laura Muir ran 4:15.24 on 21 July 2023.
She returned to South Africa in 1989, and represented South Africa at the 1992 Summer Olympics. She moved with her family to South Carolina, USA in 2008; and competed at marathons and ultramarathons. She moved back to South Africa in 2020-2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Zola Budd is a South African middle-distance and long-distance runner who competed in the Olympics for Great Britain and South Africa.
Zola Budd competed in the 3000 meters at the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games. She also broke the world record in the 5000 meters in 1984 and 1985.
Zola Budd mainly trained and raced barefoot, which was an unusual and distinctive aspect of her running style.
Zola Budd competed in the Olympics for Great Britain in 1984 and then for South Africa in 1992. She later moved to the USA and competed in marathons and ultramarathons before returning to South Africa in 2020-2021.
Zola Budd’s mile best of 4:17.57 in 1985 stood as the British record for 38 years until Laura Muir ran 4:15.24 in 2023.
Zola Budd (also known as Zola Pieterse) was born on May 26, 1966 in South Africa.
Zola Budd was a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships, winning in 1985 and 1986.
8 Quotes by Zola Budd
- 1.
I no longer run barefoot.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 2.
Looking back… it’s hard to understand what all the fuss was about as things changed in just a few years. When you look at all the things that have happened in the world, it seems very small.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 3.
I will never regret not denouncing apartheid.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 4.
Tea-shops were to become my favourite haunts in England.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 5.
I found them uncomfortable and after that I decided to continue running barefoot because I found it more comfortable. I felt more in touch with what was happening – I could actually feel the track.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 6.
I can drink tea until the cows come home and I love the atmosphere in tea-shops.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 7.
Coming from a farming background, I saw nothing out of the ordinary in running barefoot, although it seemed to startle the rest of the athletics world. I have always enjoyed going barefoot and when I was growing up I seldom wore shoes, even when I went into town.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner
- 8.
I have strong views about South African politics and I still don’t feel I need to make public statements.
Zola BuddSouth African competitive runner