Bad Wigins wrote:
Zola Budd ran faster than the world record at age 17. Cain will probably end up like her, almost winning elite races for a couple years, then regressing to modest performances or retiring. That's what usually happens with teen phenoms.
Zola Budd was a shy girl who had never competed outside South Africa until shortly before the 1984 Olympics.
She was granted British citizenship earlier in 1984, among huge controversy, following a campaign by the Daily Mail, she was granted British citizenship, which normally took years for a South Africa.
This broke international rules but she was eventually allowed to compete.
This led to public demonstrations against her in the UK, all in all taking a huge emotional toll on a shy young girl.
The Decker controversy and being booed in the Olympic final didn't help her emotional state but the following year she broke the 5,000 meters World Record.
She then returned to South Africa following threats by Anti-Apartheid campaigners to physically attack her on the track.
She was subsequently BANNED for 3 years from international competition, at the age of 22, for competing in South Africa.
She started racing in South Africa in 1991, having an excellent season, running the second fastest 5000m in the world that year.
She competed in the 3000 m at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, but did not qualify for the final.
A year later finished fourth at the World Cross Country championships.
Unfortunately she could never repeat that form on the track.
She resumed competition in 2009, winning a half-marathon in Myrtle Beach in 1:20:41 and a 12K in South Carolina.
She competed in the 2012 50 Mile Comrades Marathon, running 08:06:09.
Comparisons Mary Cain'situation are ridiculous.