South Africa’s long-distance running queen, Elana Meyer, and Ethiopian legend, Derartu Tulu, were this week reunited at the scene of their epic10-thousand metres battle 30 years ago.The gold and silver medallists created an image that united Africa, in South Africa’s first Olympic Games after being cast into the wilderness due to apartheid, one of the most iconic moments in Olympic Games history in Barcelona in 1992.just three months before the Games.
“Certainly, was a life-changing event and moment for me, so to be back here and celebrate it with Derartu is certainly special. This time a brought my family along, so to be able to connect them with that iconic moment in my life, “says Meyer. “I was at the height of my career; I had already missed out on two Olympics in 1984 and in 1988. In many ways, I could not wait any longer and almost miss out on another one. So for me, it was that unbelievable opportunity to represent South Africa even though we had not moved into a democratic country” explain Meyer.