Budd Ruling Gets Mixed Reaction

The reaction here on the day after Zola Budd’s fate was nearly sealed has been as swift as it has been strident.

On Saturday, the British Amateur Athletic Board had been instructed by the International Amateur Federation to ban Budd for at least a year for her participation in a cross-country meet in South Africa. Further, the IAAF threatened to ban the entire British federation if the British board failed to carry out the suspension.

Reaction from members of Parliament was split Sunday, but at least two British Olympians said they would be willing to miss the Seoul Games in order to support Budd.

Conservative legislator John Carlisle said: “If this means that we don’t go to Seoul, so be it. We should hold our heads up in honor rather than go to Seoul in shame.”

But another Conservative, Robert Adley, told the Associated Press: “Miss Budd is nothing more than a running mercenary for apartheid.”

The first British athletes to earn spots on the Olympic team had strong reactions to the possible suspension of Budd and the threat of suspension for the entire British team.

Hugh Jones, who was fourth in Sunday’s London Marathon and, as the second British finisher, was given an automatic place on the Olympic team, strongly criticized the actions of both the British board and the IAAF.

“I think they should back her completely,” Jones said after his race. “I don’t think she’s done anything wrong. I think there are people who have done worse things, much worse.

“There’s a principle of some significance here. You can’t let someone like her, through incompetence of the authorities in Britain, compete and then wreak havoc on her head.

“It’s moral blackmail.”

Asked if he was prepared to forfeit his chance to go the Olympics to support Budd, Jones answered with a strong yes.

“I’m prepared to take the suspension.”

And if the board caves in to the pressure?

“Then it is completely spineless and without principle. The BAAB has already been found wanting in the sense that they haven’t provided her with the proper advice. The IAAF hasn’t got the courage of its own convictions. They haven’t got any, it seems to me. They are just passing the buck. It is an ideal situation for political wheeling and dealing and for people to get steamrolled.”

The other British Olympian, Kevin Forster, who was second in the race, agreed with Jones and said he would be willing to miss the Seoul Olympics in order to make this point.

The British board said it will announce next Sunday whether it will suspend Budd or risk sanctions from the IAAF.