When 1987 world 1,500-meter bronze medalist Jim Spivey was asked at the New York Athletic Club last Friday night what he felt was his greatest race, he emotionally described his 1992 U.S. Olympic Trials 1,500.
“In the lead for the last 2 laps, as I was coming out of the turn in the last 200 meters, I felt the hair on my arms stand up.”
Watching and listening to the other 14 legends in attendance at the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA) donation ceremony, it seemed like the hair on one’s arms stood up and stayed awake during the inspiring hour-and-a-half presentation.
The brainchild of the World Athletics Team led by Sebastian Coe, athletics historian and MOWA Museum curator and emcee Chris Turner wore two hats at the ceremony as he served as both host and attendee.
WA CEO John Ridgeon and MOWA Founding Patron Michael H. Alongside Burke, Turner regaled the audience with stories (along with inspirational videos) of each of the Legends in attendance. Right after each salute, the Legends not only talked about their accomplishments, but also donated some artifacts from their illustrious careers to MOWA.
“MOWA is the only sports museum in the world that’s free,” said Turner, who also highlighted the virtual museum tour of modern art that can be done on a computer right from one’s home.
“It’s incredible.” said marathon legend Bill Rogers. “What a great way to promote our sport and keep the past alive.”
And world athletics showed the way.
Bell Lap – Honorees/Honorees listed by World Athletics announcement release;
- Joan Benoit SamuelsonDouble champion of the 1984 Olympic Marathon and Boston Marathon and winner of the 1985 Chicago Marathon.
- Dina Castor2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist, London and Chicago marathon winner.
- Rose Speck1987 World and 1988 Olympic marathon champion, 3-time Boston Marathon winner and 3-time European champion.
- Kathryn SchweitzerWinner of the 1974 New York City Marathon and the first woman to compete in the Boston Marathon as an officially registered competitor.
- Kurt Clausen1999 Bronze medalist of the World 50km walk.
- Bill Rogers4-time Boston and 4-time New York marathon winner.
- Frank O’Mara2-time world champion in indoor 1500 m.
- Marcus O’Sullivan3-time world indoor 1500m champion in Ray Flynn.
- Jim Spivey, 1987 1500 m world bronze medalist.
- Victor Rathley2007 World Marathon Bronze and 2010 European Champion.
- Dave Wattle1972 Olympic champion in 800 m.
As well as these 11 new Donors, the ceremony will welcome four more athletes whose donations to MOWA have been announced in previous years BUT who never had the opportunity to formally present their artifacts.
- 2021 – Jacqueline Hansendouble marathon world record holder.
- 2021 – Grete Waitzthe first marathon world champion, 9-time winner of the New York marathon. Grete was a posthumous donation made by her husband and trainer Jack Waits.
- 2023 – Orlando PizzolatoTwo-time New York City Marathon champion.
- 2024 – Frank Shorter1972 Olympic marathon champion.
