Embarrassing Moments.

[FrankS]

I remember going to a post-Rome Olympic meeting in Manchester, England in 1960. Herb Elliott was, for me, the big attraction, although at least two other gold medalists were there - Don Bragg and Otis Davies. Anyway, I went with my dad and we found ourselves sitting near some well-known athletes including MIke Rawson ( 1958 European 800m champion ). I mentioned to my dad that Mike had once beaten Elliott in a race. Well, much to my horror my dad went over to Mike and says to him that it must have been a real honour to beat the great Herb Elliott. For some reason I was terribly embarrassed for Mike - who had totally lost form ( I think it was link to a tooth abscess). Mike took it very well and told my dad that he wished he could do it again i.e.defeat Elliott.

[Jon]

Re: Embarrassing Moments.

>I remember going to a post-Rome Olympic meeting in Manchester, England in 1960.
>Herb Elliott was, for me, the big attraction, although at least two other gold
>medalists were there - Don Bragg and Otis Davies. Anyway, I went with my dad
>and we found ourselves sitting near some well-known athletes including MIke
>Rawson ( 1958 European 800m champion ). I mentioned to my dad that Mike had
>once beaten Elliott in a race. Well, much to my horror my dad went over to Mike
>and says to him that it must have been a real honour to beat the great Herb
>Elliott. For some reason I was terribly embarrassed for Mike - who had totally
>lost form ( I think it was link to a tooth abscess). Mike took it very well and
>told my dad that he wished he could do it again i.e.defeat Elliott.



Wow, I knew Mike Rawson very well - he was a well respected coach at my club (Birchfield Harriers). Unfortunately, he passed away a couple years ago... RIP.

Anyway, back to embarrassing stories. A few years ago (in 2000, I think), I was working at the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix and I went down to the warm-up area to see who was there. I saw Heike Drechsler and watched her as she walked in to the men's toilets! A minute or so later, Christian Malcolm came out of the toilets with her and pointed her in the right direction. She took it all quite well and had a slight embarrassed smile on her face.

Another slight embarrassing story (for me)... a couple years ago I went with my uncle to Denise Lewis' book-signing, held down at my club (where Denise is also a member). My uncle and I are both big fans of Denise (who isn't?! ;-) ) and we had a quick chat with her, a couple photos, she signed our books, etc. But then as we were leaving, my uncle gave his card to Denise, saying that she could give him a call if she wanted, etc...! Like he had a chance! Denise was a bit taken aback, but she handled it well. I think she said something like "oh right.. OK... thanks!". I made a sharp exit. Needless to say, she never did get in contact with my uncle!

[rhymans]

Re: Embarrassing Moments.

a link to both of Jon's stories comes with Elliott on the day of his Olympic 1500 win. Getting to the stadium early he went to the toilet and on exiting was asked by a passer-by "are you nervous ?". Elliott responded "no", to which the questioner said - "well, why were you in the ladies toilet then ?"