Zola Budd

Born

1966-05-26

Birthplace

Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa

Biography

Zola Budd is a middle-distance and long-distance runner. She competed at the 1984 Olympic Games for Great Britain and the 1992 Olympic Games for South Africa, both times in the 3000 metres. In 1984 and 1985, she broke the world record in the women's 5000 metres. She was also a two-time winner at the World Cross Country Championships (1985-1986). Budd's career was unusual in that she mainly trained and raced barefoot. Since 2008 she has been living in South Carolina with her three children, competing at marathons and ultramarathons.