byAlfonz JuckCrystal Palace stadium is one of the most iconic athletic stadiums in the world. It dates back to Victorian England, and the names of the greats who have run, jumped and thrown there is endless.
It is also the place that I went to see my first Diamond League meetings. It was through the patience of Sir Ian Stewart and Sir David Bedford that I was able to see not only how athletic meetings and marathons were properly done, but the workings behind the scenes.
Crystal Palace, photo by AFP/Getty Images / British Athletics
Crystal Palace was a favorite. It was a good place to view a meet, and there were producers for the live event, live TV and the crews knew their roles.
The meets went with precision as I was able to see the finest athletes in the world compete and learn more about my sport.
To think that, less than two decades later, that the stadium would be a complete mess, is an embarrassment to the sport.
That another generation of sportsfans will be unable to see the next David Befords, Ian Stewarts, Seb Coes, Steve Crams, Wendy Slys, Jessica Ennis Hills compete on the famous fields is just, well, terribly sad…
LONDON (GBR): Crystal Palace stadium, site of many world records and Britain’s major athletics arena for top events for 50 years until the start of the last decade, has been “left to rot”, according to The Telegraph. Sprints coach John Powell, chair of the Crystal Palace Sports Partnership, said: “As a competition venue it has pretty much expired. The condition of it is a scandal. There are places covered in bird excrement, broken seats in the stands, the track has holes in it, access paths are frequently flooded. It’s a shambles and totally at odds with the 2012 Olympic legacy.” The London mayor’s office says £550,000 ($780,000) has been set aside for essential maintenance.
