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The Long Road to Gold - Part Two

Tom and Yvonne’s story of Commonwealth Games success – Part Two 

Following on from Tom’s recollections of the lead up to the 1994 Vancouver Commonwealth Games and his wife, Yvonne Murray’s journey to gold and glory, he tells us of the actual games themselves. 

Tom’s Story (part 2) 

I had contacted various self-catering accommodation surrounding Victoria as it was important to get Yvonne out of the athlete’s village and allow her to concentrate on her training, ensuring that she could get plenty of rest and be away from any distractions at the village. 

My aunt and uncle stayed in Vancouver, and I had visited them a number of times, so I was familiar with the area. I went over to Victoria, picked up a hire car and drove to the village of Sooke. I had checked everything about the area previously and made sure everything was in place for Yvonne. I also measured out a couple of road runs off the beaten track in preparation.  

Staying focused 

Yvonne had to stay in the athlete’s village for a couple of nights, sharing her accommodation with bowlers and a cyclist. Yvonne was glad to escape the village as the bowlers had a different regime and time clock to Yvonne! 

Getting out of the village was a god send and enabled her to get switched on for the big race. We had hired a wee cottage set in an herb and vegetable garden behind the Margison Guest House in Sooke. 

We would travel into the athlete’s village every other day to find out any news and to do a track session. 

Things got more tense as usual for Yvonne leading up to the race. This was a good sign as all the preparation was done and she was ready to race. 

When leaving Sooke on the day of the race, I remember Sylvia Halgren, the cottage owner saying to Yvonne that: “You are going to take this race.”  

The Race - finally 

The 10,000m was a straight final and the main threat from the start list was Elana Meyer of South Africa, the Olympic silver medallist from Barcelona 1992. Yvonne had been running World class times from 1500m, One Mile, 3000m and 5000m in 1994, but had yet to race seriously over 10,000m. We expected the 10,000m to be run at a slower pace than her other races that season. Yvonne had to relax in the race pack and concentrate, awaiting Meyer increasing the pace in an effort to get a good lead, as Meyer’s finishing sprint was inferior to Yvonne’s. 

Meyer made a move with ten laps to go, with Yvonne tracking her, followed by Kenyan Jane Omoro. Meyer increased the pace each lap with the race quickly reducing to three athletes and then whittling down to two. With two laps to go (800m), Yvonne was confident in her finishing kick. With 550m left, Yvonne made her move and quickly opened a gap which stretched to ten seconds by the end of the race.  

Yvonne in her fourth Commonwealth Games had finally won the Gold medal and completed her set of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals at the games. 

Yvonne had so wanted to hear the Scottish National anthem since back in 1982, when competing as an 18-year-old at her first Games at Brisbane, she witnessed Meg Ritchie, her PE teacher at Musselburgh Grammar School, win the Discus Final. 

I managed to get a seat right at the finish line to get a great view of the race and to shout encouragement. Yvonne’s former sprint coach Stuart Hogg and his wife Madge were sitting on the back straight and Yvonne could hear the welcome sound of Stuart’s voice of encouragement on each of the 25 laps!  

It was a very proud moment for Yvonne winning the gold medal for Scotland. The Commonwealth Games is the only major athletics championship when athletes can represent Scotland.  

The medal ceremony was memorable, with Scotland the Brave being played and spectators clapping and stamping their feet along with the anthem. 

Glory then back to work 

Following media interviews, where Yvonne dedicated the race to her Mum, Mary, and a visit to the Scotland HQ in the athlete’s village, we then made the journey back to Sooke to celebrate. Travelling in the car, we had a feeling of joy and that it was “Mission Accomplished.” 

We arrived back in Sooke to a surprise party set up for us.  

The following day, Yvonne was asked to carry the Saltire flag into the Closing Ceremony of the Games, but unfortunately, Yvonne had to decline the invitation to return home early as she had been selected for the GB team to run in the 3000m at the Athletics World Cup at London.  

Arriving back at Glasgow Airport, Yvonne was greeted by her parents, coach Tommy Boyle and young athletes from Motherwell Athletics Club. A wonderful surprise. 

The focus was then on the World Cup 3000m race which Yvonne won by ten seconds to end her season on a high. 

Yvonne’s athletic performances over the season put her in with a chance of winning BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year. The competition was tough, with World Champion Snooker player Stephen Hendry, Footballer Mark Hateley and Golfer Colin Montgomery being the main competition.  

Thanks to the Scottish public’s votes and her sporting accomplishments over the year, Yvonne was delighted to be voted BBC Scotland Sports Personality of the Year for 1994.  

Thank you Tom for sharing these wonderful memories and now when we watch the records being smashed, medals worn with immense pride and tears of joy on the podium, we know that none of that would be possible without the unflinching support of the back-room team!