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Zola Budd and Mary Decker to share memories of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics

Zola Budd and Mary Decker to share memories of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics

The headline-hitting 1984 Los Angeles Olympic runners – Zola Budd and Mary Decker are to be reunited for the first time in over 30 years in an original and exclusive Sky Atlantic documentary feature – The Fall.

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“I knew making this film would be opening up the black box in my mind which I haven’t opened since that day. I thought it was time.” – Zola Budd

The 90-minute feature, which airs on Sky Atlantic on Friday 29th July at 9pm, will premiere in London’s Picturehouse Central on Wednesday 27th July. The Fall will feature exclusive interviews with South African barefoot runner, Zola and American track athlete, Mary, to reveal the true story behind one of the most controversial moments in sporting history, when the Olympic runners’ dream of winning the 3000m women’s final fell by the trackside. It will feature archive footage, together with new and exclusive interviews with those closest to the events leading up to and beyond that fateful race.

“I still think about that race every day. Making this film has been cathartic.” – Mary Decker

Zola Budd was just seventeen years old and living in Apartheid South Africa when she was persuaded to adopt British nationality to avoid the international sporting boycott of South Africans. With British citizenship, Zola – who was famed for running barefoot – was able to compete in the 1984 LA Summer Olympics as part of the British team.
World record breaking American runner, Mary Decker was tipped to win the gold medal in the 3000m women’s track final and the world was captivated by stories of the two runners. The media revelled in the hype of an Olympic ‘duel.’ However, during the race, in front of an international audience of millions, Mary and Zola collided. Mary fell down and was unable to complete the race. Although Zola continued to run to the finishing line, she failed to secure any medal, reeling from the reaction she received from the crowd. Following the race, a media frenzy ensued as the reason for ‘the fall’ was hotly debated.

“The Fall is gripping, deeply moving and beautifully made, revealing the astonishing story behind one of the most memorable moments in modern Olympic history.” -Sky Commissioning Editor for Factual and Documentaries, James Quinn

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