Book description
'I hope the Romanian doesn't get through, because I can't pronounce her
bloody name.' Allegedly from David Coleman, British radio and TV
commentator, at one of his many Olympic coverages, when he thought he
was off air. A Lifetime of Training for Just 10 Seconds is a collection
of quotations from Olympic athletes, eyewitnesses and commentators
through the ages, whether written, broadcast, overheard or misreported.
They are inspiring, devastating - often hilarious - and a fascinating
insight into the Games, the people who watch and compete in them, and
those labouring and slithering behind the scenes. The notes following
the quotes give a potted history of the Games and its cast of
characters. 'These are the Olympics; you die before you quit.' The great
American discus thrower, Al Oerter, winner of four successive gold
medals (1956-1968). For the third of these in Tokyo, he competed despite
excruciating pain from a torn rib cartilage, strapped up and iced.
Richard Witt was Head of English Translations (2001-2004) for the
Organizing Committee of the Games of the XXVIIIth Olympiad.
