<25.08.07> - Devastation for Donna in Osaka
25 Aug 2007
Drama is what happened and heartache is what stands with blood spilling onto the track after Donna MacFarlane’s World Championships journey ended prematurely.
After only 10m of running, MacFarlane was spiked, so much so that her shoe came off after 50m. She momentarily hesitated, considering whether to stop and slip it back on, or run with the pack with only one shoe. The answer turned simple when she turned around and couldn’t see where it was, the disbelief clearly evident on her face.
"I had a split decision to make, do I stop and try and find my shoe first of all, and put it on, but I knew I wouldn't make the final if I did that. So I thought I would try and
stick it out with one shoe on, fortunately it was my right shoe that came off, because half of my left foot is already taped."
stick it out with one shoe on, fortunately it was my right shoe that came off, because half of my left foot is already taped."
Showing tremendous courage, MacFarlane continued for two more laps before retiring at the 200m mark of the track to visit.
“I was prepared to fight through the pain, but I just couldn't go on. I don't like drama, I was looking forward to running in the final and thought I could run well in the final,” an emotional MacFarlane said post event.
It was the first time the 30 year old Sandy Bay athlete had not finished a race and the shock was evident on her face post event. “I've hit a steeple in races before, but I have never pulled out of a race before.”
The mother of two left Hobart last week and spent 5 days acclimatizing to heat and humidity in Cairns. However, all her runs in Cairns were wearing shoes and nothing could prepare her for what happened today. “The track is so hot, I was actually trying to run with my right foot on the white line, because the line wasn't as hot, plus the friction of the track was so bad. I thought I could handle it, because I have been through child birth twice, but I just couldn't.”
Although the nature of the sport, one would naturally prefer not to have such devastation occur during the biggest sporting event the world will see in 2007. “"It’s certainly the biggest disappointment of my career, but not something I want to end on. Now is the time to remember that my value of a person is not dependant on how I perform on the track.”
MacFarlane will now turn her attention towards the World Athletics Final in Stuttgart next month where she has qualified through her stunning performances in Europe earlier in the season.