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60 CLASSIC MOMENTS - No. 36
Tiina Lillak steals the show from Fatima Whitbread in last-gasp effort in Helsinki. THE Finnish capital of Helsinki was given the honour of holding the inaugural World Championships in 1983. AW editor at the time, Mel Watman, described the championships as ‘a stunning success’ and one particular event generated more interest than most. Historically, the javelin is part of a rich legacy for the European nation and owns an affectionate place in the heart of the Finns. The Finnish men were going through an embarrassing rough patch. However, one woman had her sights on restoring Finnish pride. Tiina Lillak had the world at her feet. Having set a world record mark of 74.76m four weeks earlier, expectations were high. British thrower Fatima Whitbread, 22, had the odds stacked against her, being bed-ridden with tonsilitis in the countdown to the championships, yet the Londoner remained confident.
Full story in issue 59-29, 20th July 2005.
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Lillak
steals Whitbread’s thunder at the death
