Zola Budd Quotes

South Africa, Middle-Distance Runner
May 26, 1966

Zola Pieterse (née Budd; born 26 May 1966) is a 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 1984 (unratified) and 1985, she broke the world record in the women's 5000 metres. She was also a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships (1985–1986).

Also known as Marathon Runner

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 Budd
- World
- Small
- Looking Back
I no longer run barefoot.

Zola Budd
- Run
- Longer
- Barefoot

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 Budd
- Up
- World
- Growing
I can drink tea until the cows come home and I love the atmosphere in tea-shops.

Zola Budd
- Home
- Tea
- Drink
I will never regret not denouncing apartheid.

Zola Budd
- Never
- Regret
- Will
Tea-shops were to become my favourite haunts in England.

Zola Budd
- Tea
- Become
- England
I have strong views about South African politics and I still don't feel I need to make public statements.

Zola Budd
- Strong
- Politics
- Need
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 Budd