THE SIDELINES : Dad Barred Zola Budd From Funeral

In a final snub to his estranged daughter, the murdered father of runner Zola Budd has barred the South African-born athlete from his funeral.

Frank Budd gave instructions in his will, which was read today, that Zola and her two sisters should not be allowed at the graveside.

Budd, 56, was shot dead last week in his farmhouse home near the Orange Free State town of Bloemfontein. A 24-year-old man was charged Monday with murder.

Budd became estranged from the rest of the family around the time she took British citizenship to evade anti-apartheid boycotts and take part in the 1984 Olympic Games.

The elder Budd’s sister, Joyce Evans, told state radio that her brother had since made peace with his children and would have changed his will had it not been for his untimely death.