50 Stunning Olympic moments: Zola Budd - in pictures

South African born Zola Budd went to the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as a British athlete after concerted efforts from the Daily Mail, aided by the British government, to make her part of their squad. Due to Apartheid, South Africa were banned from the Olympics Photograph: Getty Images

Having unofficially broken middle distances world records prior to the Olympics, Budd took on her idol Mary Decker of the USA in the 3,000m final in LA Photograph: Popperfoto

Decker was the favourite and looked comfortable in the opening laps Photograph: Tony, Duffy/Allsport

It was on the fourth lap of the race that Budd's eccentric style of running - barefoot and elbows waggling - brought Decker crashing to the ground. The two collided after Budd had surged to the front of the pack Photograph: Bob Langer/Associated Press

As Decker lay prone on the floor, Budd continued to race – but boos filled the stadium and the young Budd was overhwlemed by the incident Photograph: Bob Langer/Associated Press

Budd remained in medals contention until the final lap when she slowed and finished seventh. She later claimed to have done so because she feared the trauma of standing on the podium in front of the crowd to collect a medal Photograph: Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Decker, meanwhile, was distraught and claimed her rival had tripped her intentionally. Budd was briefly disqualified but then reinstated as the incident was deemed an unfortunate racing collision. In retrospect, Budd called it the worst day of her life Photograph: Tony Duffy/Allsport