… to forget snippets I wanted to put into a post … to just to finish off the Commonwealth Games post in August and Bran Tub # 23 … and the 1972 Olympic Games … that I will write up more when the 2024 Paris Olympics comes along …
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| Foggy morning |
Old age perhaps … brain fog … who knows – but I really do want to write this post …
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| Princess Anne with Precious - he is a favourite with the Royals |
I doubt you remember the Kenyan Julius Yego – learning how to improve his javelin throw via Youtube that I mentioned in my 2014 Commonwealth Games (3/3) – that year he won gold, but he was back this year coming third. Youtube – the best 'how to ….' ?!?! That's meant to be a positive!
Now we revert to 1972 the Munich Olympics … where a member of the British team was the diminutive (4' 9”) weightlifter Precious McKenzie … my job was to find clothes for him that matched the British Olympic team's style – also for the larger bods too …
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| Precious lifting Muhammad Ali |
Such a gentle soul and so polite – I remember … Precious had come over from South Africa – as racial prejudice had prevailed … he subsequently left the UK for New Zealand where he now lives. His back story is interesting …
But though he was in the lowest weight category – his strength was stupendous for someone of his size … as you can see from the images …
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| Emily winning her gold this year |
He'd come over for this year's Commonwealth Games in the UK – I guess he has many contacts here … and the New Zealanders were competing in many of the events … particularly the weightlifting categories … here he met …
Emily Campbell, 28, who only started weightlifting when she was 21 … now she's already Commonwealth Champion 2022 … having won silver at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
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| Precious McKenzie congratulating Emily on her success this year - and no doubt some wise words passed on ... |
Nottingham Trent University, where she grew up … awarded her an honorary Doctor of Sports Degree … she now inspires youngsters to try all things – anything is possible if you are willing to pursue your dreams …
One last word on Muhammad Ali that I only came across today … I hadn't realised he had a major fear of flying … and only went to the 1960 Olympics with a parachute strapped to his back …
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| Paris in 2007 |
Well that really is my lot on these sorts of Games til they rock around again – in Paris 2024 … but how we can learn, how we can inspire and yet be terrified of jumping a continent …
Thanks for your patience in being here …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
38 comments:
Hari OM
Love your snippets, Hilary - valuable little 'bytes' to add to the annals! YAM xx
I DO remember the 1972 Games very well, since we were living in the UK then and would have liked to pop over. That was before the massacre of Israeli athletes :(
I don't remember Precious McKenzie at all, but can I ask why you were dressing and undressing him? 😀
@ Yam - thanks ... glad you enjoy my memory tidbits ...
@ Hels - yes I was the clothing administrator ... so had to collect everyone's details so they had their 'uniform' ... and obviously those with huge biceps, or large necks or the little people need different clothing as there weren't uniforms of that size for them ... it was mix and match back then ... so off to Big and Small I went, as too Marks and Spencers ... so no - I didn't dress or undress him!!
Cheers to you both - Hilary
I actually watched that weight lifting, I did not have time to watch most. Interesting that Muhammad Ali only flew with a parachute!!!
Sorry my reply took a long time, I had two days so not having time to switch on my computer.
Cheers Diane
Thanks for those historical snippets, Hilary. Clothing administrator must have been an interesting job.
My mother and I were in Germany, but not Munich, during the 1972 Olympics. That was a tragic year for the games.
How I love these snippets. They 'humanise' the athletes for me. Athletes so often represent all that I will not, can not, be.
Being clothing administrator must have been a busy, and sometimes frustrating job, but rich in memories.
@ Diane - oh ... how funny you saw Emily and the weightlifing - unless you meant the 1972 Olympics and Precious ... I was bemused by the Muhammad Ali info ... No worries re the delay after I'd commented again, but I suddenly realised you were travelling over here - so apologies for the chase up. I do hope all has gone well ... a sad, yet happy occasion seeing friends and family.
@ Debbie - just part of my 'history' for what it's worth ... fun for me to remember. The Clothing Administrator was an interesting role ... and probably cemented my ability to administer in various roles.
The 1972 massacre was a dreadful horror ... sadly these things keep happening ... I'd love people not to want to kill, or maim others. The German nation must have been horrified at that time ... I'm glad perhaps you were elsewhere in the country ...
@ EC - thanks so much ... they bemuse me ... and as you say humanise the athletes ... they also yes make me realise I could never have risen to that sort of occasion - yet so many inspire others to rise to their abilities ...
The job was fairly 'heavy' - the reward that trip to Munich. I enjoyed it - suited my abilities at being organised (where it's gone now I'll never know!) and having a good memory for names, numbers etc
... this was the year the Olympics first went computerised ... so another added element and I helped in that area too ...
Cheers to you three - really appreciate you coming over and commenting - Hilary
You are allowed to write anything you want! Especially interesting things like being clothing administrator at the Commonwealth Games. How cool is that?
It's your blog, write what you want to write. Sometimes that post that we really want to write truly can wait. And sometimes we can find a way to shove in the post that may not fit, but we want it to go now anyway.
Fascinating post, Hils. I didn't know Ali had such an intense fear of flying, but I get it.
I wasn't aware of this personality. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to know him through your post Hilary. Thank You.
@ Anabel - I know ... but I need to engage! The clothing administrator was for the Olympics ... not even the Commonwealth Games - I got lucky ... to me it was very cool, hard work but worth it.
@ Liz - Yup ... lots don't get written ... yet lots of oddities get put out into the blogosphere ...
@ Sandra - thanks another oddity ... but memories for me. I think I might have heard about Ali years ago ... but it was fortuitous that I re-heard about Ali's fear of flying only on Sunday ...
@ Damyanti - thank you - Precious McKenzie is a special person ... very determined, very athletically capable - he'd wanted to be a circus performer ... his backstory is informative and interesting ...
Cheers to you four - thanks for your comments and being here - Hilary
Never having been a devotee of sports, as you know, Hilary, most of the the names were unknown to me, but I was quite fascinated to learn that someone was put in charge of finding clothes for differently-proportioned athletes, and I am sure you were just the person to get it done! Hugs - David
Precious was incredibly strong.
Didn't know Ali had a fear of flying.
At 4'9", the dude was shorter than me, and that's not easy to do. LOL
Not into weight lifting, but love the snippets of information. Always learn something on your blog!
An inspiring story, I would have towered over him.
@ David - no I realise you're not keen on sporting activities ...!! and thus names mean nothing ...
I'd no idea what I'd let myself in for the job ... mostly just checking forms as they came in, and thankfully being 'directed' as to what was needed in the BIG and SMALL side of things ...
I was willing and that was the main thing ... not much time to get things in place - especially as it was the first olympics of early computerisation.
@ Alex - Precious was incredibly strong - he'd wanted to go into the circus. I'm sure I knew about Ali not enjoying flying, but had forgotten - but thought it was a snippet I could include here.
@ Diane - that's pretty amazing isn't it - bet he's stronger than you!!
@ Renee - no I'm not really into weightlifting ... but I'm always curious about things and having met Precious back in 1972 ... good to know you're happy to be here ...
@ Inger - yes I bet you would have towered over him - most would ...
Thanks everyone - good to see you ... cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary,
WE ALL LOVE YOUR SNIPPETS! How interesting that you oversaw the uniforms for the '72 Olympics! If these few stories are any indication, you must have a "trunk" full of tidbits during this fascinating time in history. I was just a kid, so I don't remember much of this particular Olympics.
Improving javelin throwing through You tube. Who'd a thought.
Cheers,
very fun extra snippets. I like that the man's name is Precious - based on the picture it does fit - tiny but strong, great smile. You've led an interesting life and I'm glad you share bits when they pop up. Very fun post!
@ Michael - thank you ... I'm just glad you enjoy the snippets. I've been lucky in my life ... not always easy ... but I've sort of collected things over the year. I'm not sure exactly what will come to the fore re my memories of working for the British Olympic Association back in 1972 ... I have some 'bumph' in one of the many batches of memories I've got here ... so I'll draw out some details.
@ Sandra - I know ... what people can learn from youtube videos is just amazing ... the passion to utilise the videos is inspirational ...
@ Joanne - delighted you enjoyed the extra snippets. I always remember Precious's name and yes those pictures really show his size - tiny but with a positive outlook. His approach encourages us all ...
Lots of ideas keep popping up but not quite sure how I'll handle them - except to keep on posting here ...
Cheers to you three - thanks for commenting - Hilary
Hi Hilary, nice post!
I love learning all these facts from your blog, Hilary. I love the photos as well. Bravo on a wonderful blog. All best to you, my dear!
These were amazing, Hilary! I'm still trying to get over the image of that tiny man lifting Mohammed Ali on his shoulders. Good grief.
Loved the pic of Precious lifting Ali;)
Cheers,
Height isn't everything, is it? Loved your snippets as always Hilary!
Ha, I didn't know that about Muhammad Ali.
And I am all too familiar with brain fog... 'tis my curse.
Precious is a prime example of 'never judge a book by its cover.' :)
@ Rachna - many thanks, good to see you ...
@ Victoria - lovely to see you too ... and thanks re the pics with the story-lines and for the compliment ...
@ Lee - I know Precious is quite an amazing man ... such an inspiration to many ... - as you say 'good grief' ...
@ Sandra - it's a fun image isn't it ... imagine watching Precious lift Ali ...
@ Denise - height most definitely isn't everything ... is it ...
@ Lynda - it's a fun bit of information ... and also the part re Ali not enjoying flying. Brain fog is a challenge to us all at times ...
@ Rosey - you're so right ... 'never judge a book by its cover' ...
Great to see you all ... cheers Hilary
Emily is one strong woman!
Sportswear admin must have been a challenging but super interesting job! Loved the snippets - I always learn something new with every post of yours.
Friends/family in the UK have been in my thoughts ever since the news broke. Another global icon and link to the past century gone. Difficult times. Take care, Hilary.
@ Sherry - Emily certainly found her niche and her passion for the sport ... she seems a great asset to weightlifting community...
@ Nila - well it was uniform ... and in those days things weren't quite so specific - getting there, but not there yet ... it was interesting though ...
Thank you re your condolences on our nation's loss ... we are certainly in a lot of transition ... yes difficult times ahead, but I have faith that we'll come through ...
Thanks to the two of you for your comments ... cheers Hilary
This was fantastic, Hilary! Always such a treat to visit your blogs ;-)
Hi Hilary - That bit on Mohammed Ali is interesting. I didn't know that. Often the façade of strength hides the frailty within.
@ Diedre - thanks ... a fun wrap up ... and always delighted to see you here ...
@ Pradeep - yes ... Mohammed Ali lived a full life, while Precious was quite extraordinary during his life - overcoming many obstacles. Yet as you rightly mention the facade of strength hides the frailty within.
Cheers to you both - thanks for being here ... sorry it's taken me a while to reply - Hilary
I Read this post with great interest. Little known human feats. I particularly like hearing about when athletes work to inspire children and young adults. A good use of their position.
For some reason, I am no longer receiving notifications of new posts. I assumed you were taking a break. I will try to sign-up again.
Hi Dan - thanks ... I was certainly inspired remembering Precious from 1972 ... but so well worth while - encouraging others to improve their own lives. Emily came over as a wonderful ambassador too ...
I'm not sure what's going on with posts and feeds etc ... I'll try and find out - I've a few comments to look at ... not being technical doesn't help my cause.
Ever since Reader was removed/cancelled by Google ... it's been more difficult, and if things are altered/upgraded - then bloggers fall off the radar - I try and remember and go across: not easy. When I find out anything I'll let friends know ...
Cheers - just happy to see you here again! Hilary
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