"It's not the winning, it's the taking part...it's fighting for Great Britain.''
Before I met a single Olympic gold medallist it was my hope that those who had fallen from the limelight, or were never in it in the first place, would have their story documented. So in 20 years when anybody needed to know the tale of Judy Grinham, David Bond or Gillian Sheen, to name but three, they would only have to reach for the Gold Run archive.
Invariably, it has been those lesser known stories that have gripped me, that have enthralled me, that have left an everlasting imprint on my mind and, in many cases, my heart.
In episode six of Colin Murray's Gold Run, broadcast at 11am on BBC Radio 5 Live on Sunday 24 June, Dick McTaggart tells his story of lightweight boxing gold at the Melbourne 1956 games.
Dick, a Dundonian now residing in Troon, went Down Under shortly after his 21st birthday, and returned as, officially, the best amateur boxing talent on earth.
Not only did he win the Gold Medal, he was also awarded the Val Barker trophy – this is given to the most stylist pugilist at an Olympic Games. In short, it's only presented to the pound-for-pound best in the business; to date Dick McTaggart is the only British boxer ever to own it.
His classic, counter-attacking style, piston like engine and stinging jabs made him almost the dictionary definition of the 'classic boxer'. He was once described by the great Harry Carpenter as the best he'd ever seen.
McTaggart fought 644 times without pay, refusing countless offers to turn professional, believing that representing your country and the love of the sport outweighed any financial benefits. Instead, he worked as a butcher, an RAF cook, a rat catcher, a sweet maker and in a Rolls Royce factory in order to support his family.
Dick has a rare sense of humour, and regaled me with tales of his 1960 experiences in Rome, when he picked up a bronze and rubbed shoulders with a young Muhammad Ali. He told me Ali “was even stupid then'', but went on to say he was a great boxer, and very funny.
He also carried the flag at the opening ceremony in Italy, and so over half a century later I hope Gold Run is flying the flag for all those forgotten gold medallists, who's effort, dedication and pride, is timeless. To this day it still means as much to Dick McTaggart.
''It was like a dream just being selected for Great Britain. It's not the winning, it’s the taking part… it's fighting for Great Britain.''
Colin Murray's Gold Runis on 5 live onSundays at 11am. You can subscribe to Colin Murray's Gold Run Extrahere. For updates and photos follow@BBCGoldRunon Twitter
Comment number 1.
At 08:31 29th Jun 2012, zelda wrote://"It's not the winning, it's the taking part.//
Judging by the paucity of comments on these blogs - the taking part bit is a no hoper.
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Comment number 2.
At 13:23 30th Jun 2012, Fedster wrote:This Blog is massively underused, it does not reflect the big events that 5live have got the rights to, Wimbeldon.Euro 2012 come to mind, yes we had 1 dismal attempt at a Euro 2012 Blog, but that was a simple copy and paste job from the Press Office, it would have been more intresting to know about the logistics, how 5live staff are travelling between venues, how 5live and BBC TV are working together etc etc.
The reason this Blog is unpopular is not because directly because of Facebook,or people not being intrested, its because Will shindler and his minions are not harnessing this blog to its full potential.
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Comment number 3.
At 16:19 30th Jun 2012, zelda wrote:Perhaps the lack of use is due to the fact that most of the blogs are boring? The BBC choose the subjects to be discussed and they are obviously not popular. They also close the blogs very quickly so if there is anything (as if) worth discussion or commenting on you don't have the time.
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Comment number 4.
At 17:20 30th Jun 2012, carrie wrote:Ellie writes informative blogs, the rest are blowing their own trumpets. Fed and zelda are quite correct, it is a wasted opportunity to engage listeners by neglecting this page. Meanwhile the station becomes even more Radio Manchester and even less a national station. Is the best Middle East expert really from the University of Salford? (Rank 64) Oh I forgot, it collaborated with the BBC to create MediaCity.
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Comment number 5.
At 17:28 30th Jun 2012, Fedster wrote:Once again, i point the 5live Editors to the BBC Sport Blog which was run by Roger Mosey and Paul Armstrong when the BBC had significant live Football rights.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/sporteditors/paul_armstrong/
Thats what is needed on this Blog, not this feeble,amateurish attempt at blogs.
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Comment number 6.
At 09:06 2nd Jul 2012, zelda wrote:As there is nowhere else to put this....... haven't we had enough football phone-ins lately? Last week was almost wall to wall with them and today is Are Spain the Greatest something or other?
There are IMPORTANT things to be discussed, why this constant obsession with football?
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Comment number 7.
At 17:14 2nd Jul 2012, Jackstumps wrote:Following on the zeldacious comment above - nowhere to post anything - can I ask just how shameless is Helen Skelton when it comes to taking the BBC shilling?. Is there nothing the woman won't do fpr money - any she's useless at all of them?
Starting to agree with Fed - this blog needs a massive overhaul - why cannot the posters suggest the topics - or are the Beeb not brave enough?
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Comment number 8.
At 09:15 6th Jul 2012, zelda wrote:Oh Gawd... yet another ruddy football phone - in.
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Comment number 9.
At 12:10 6th Jul 2012, carrie wrote:Beanos - Rachel and George get Centre Court trip, plus expenses no doubt.
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Comment number 10.
At 13:13 6th Jul 2012, zelda wrote:They had somebody there in centre court this morning which was empty in the pouring rain. Why?
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Comment number 11.
At 13:40 6th Jul 2012, carrie wrote:Their turn. Even the BBC director of sport took her 14 year old daughter during school hours. But the BBC pay a fortune to cover it. I unfortunately loathe tennis. There you go!
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Comment number 12.
At 17:20 6th Jul 2012, zelda wrote:Nice work if you can get it.
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