In the world of sport nothing captures spirit and resilience quite the same way that good comebacks do. The stories of a fallen hero jostling with the pain barrier and rising from the abyss are chapters in a book that we all cradle. Below are six astounding examples of why we should never give up.
Lord Sebastian Coe: 1984 Olympics
In the months before the Los Angeles Games, Coe was suffering from severe health problems that meant he spent several months in and out of hospital. He was selected for the 800m and 1500m events despite heavy criticism from the press and emphatically proved them wrong winning a silver and gold medal respectively. Coe is still the only man to win successive Olympic 1500m titles.
Paula Radcliffe: 2008 New York Marathon
It took the MBE winner two years to recover from a stress fracture in her femur and the birth of her first child, Isla. But when she was crowned queen of the New York Marathon in 2008, the endless rehab and anti-gravity treadmill running was all worthwhile. Being awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year that year emphasises Radcliffe’s monumental feat.
Scott Jurek: 2005 Badwater Ultramarathon
In a race that demands running at least 90 miles on concrete in an intense desert heat, Jurek was a complete rookie. Many consider the Badwater to be one of the most extreme running races in the world. The 135-mile course in California’s Death Valley nearly gobbled him up around mile 75; he felt queasy, started to vomit and considered quitting. Jurek went onto win the race in a course-record time of 24 hrs, 36 mins and 8 seconds.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wMt2YBaXB0
Lassie Virén: 1972 Olympics
At the Munich Games in 1972, Virén joined the elite group of successful long-distance runners from Finland known as the “Flying Finns”. Taking part in the 10,000m race, he fell over after colliding with Emiel Puttemans just before the halfway mark. Defying the odds, Virén regained ground on his competitors and a lap-and-a-half kick saw him not only win gold, but set a new world record in the process.
Kelly Holmes: 2004 Olympics
Without doubt one of the greatest moments in British sporting history. Holmes, who had struggled with multiple injury problems in the build up to the 2004 Olympics (and throughout her career), was seventh after the first lap during the 800 metre final in Athens. But somehow – to the complete shock of her rivals and more profoundly herself – Kelly roared back in her second and final lap to claim victory. With her confidence sky-high, she later romped to victory in the 1500m to complete an epic double.
