Borzov honored with fellow 100-meter champions (02/11/96)

Borzov honored with fellow 100-meter champions

by Roman Woronowycz

NEW YORK - Ukrainian sports hero Valeriy Borzov, who today is Ukraine's minister of youth and sports, was specially honored on February 6 along with the other 100-meter Olympic gold medalists of the post World War II era.

He joined nine of the 11 100-meter Olympic champions at the Jesse Owens International Trophy Awards, commemorating the 60th anniversary since the day Jesse Owens took gold in Berlin before a shocked Adolf Hitler. This was the second time the 100-meter gold medalists have come together; the first time was 10 years ago on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Mr. Owens' accomplishments.

The nine who showed were: Harrison Dillard (winner in 1948), Lindy Remigino (1952), Bobby Morrow (1956), Bob Hayes (1964), Jim Hines (1968), Hasely Crawford (1976), Allan Wells (1980), Linford Christie (1992) and Mr. Borzov (1972). Only 1960 champ Armin Hary and 1988 winner Carl Lewis were no-shows.

Mr. Borzov took gold in both the 100-meter and 200-meter dashes in 1972 in Munich, the only person to do so besides Mr. Owens in 1936 and Mr. Morrow in 1956. The Ukrainian also took 2 bronzes in the 1976 Games in Montreal (in the 100-meters and 4x100-meter relay).

During his competitive years, many derided Mr. Borzov as too mechanical, a person who exhaustively studied films and technique. However, at a morning press conference he explained that, quite conversely, he had admired and copied the style of Mr. Hayes, the 1964 gold winner who had a flamboyant style.

"The model for my style was Bob Hayes. I compiled the styles of several great track stars and it seemed to work - I won," said Mr. Borzov.

NBC broadcaster Bob Costas, who hosted the event, took the assembled through a video history of the 100 years of Olympic100-meter dash competitions. Mr. Borzov, after seeing his performance on tape 24 years later, said, "I am not an emotional person, but it was shocking to see myself as a young person." Mr. Borzov last competed in 1978.

The event, held since 1980, recognizes "the world's most outstanding athlete." This year the Jesse Owens International Trophy went to Michael Johnson, who won both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes at the U.S. Championships and the World Championships in Goteberg, Sweden, the first man to win both in either competition. Past trophy winners include Eric Heiden, Sebastian Coe, Florence Griffith Joyner, Edwin Moses, Greg Lemond, Ben Johnson and Vitaly Scherbo.

The dinner is sponsored by the International Amateur Athletic Association with proceeds from the $500-a-plate black-tie benefit going to support the Jesse Owens Foundation and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Other notables present were NBC Chairman Richard Wright, Olympic champion Edwin Moses, Jesse Owens' widow Ruth Owens and U.S Olympic Committee Chairman Leroy Walker..

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