Diana Elliott - High Jump

Well, now we welcome Diana Elliot a very well known local sports person. Diana is involved in athletics and we 're just asking her to say a word or two, Diana welcome.
Thank you for inviting me.
Tell me how did you first get involved in athletics, does it run in the family?
Not really no, probably swimming because my granddad used to run the local swimming baths.
Yes, I remember that.
Do you remember?
I remember him very well.
Yes, so I was always good at sport I suppose since I was little.
Just naturally?
Yes, I used to play netball and hockey and I did athletics in the summer so I used to do cross country and then I started high jumping and Mr. Tomlin from the boys' school helped me because they had some crash mats at the boys' school. I went to Chichele Girls' School in Rushden and then he helped me and then I went and joined Leicester club because that was the nearest all weather track from here and that's how it started really.
I suppose at Leicester you had people who were maybe at international level who
were, and they recognised your talents.
Yes, they had some, they had quite a few coaches there, yes so my parents used to take me every week.
So there were a lot of people involved, not the ability of not just your own perseverance but the dedication but of your parents, taking you each week and making the time available taking you in the car probably.
I know yes, they did, I mean for quite a few years, they took me at least twice or three times a week and then when I was competing we were away at weekends, Wales, wherever so ...
Did it ever interrupt your academic progress at school?
I probably could have done a bit better at school but I used to play County netball as well so I was doing a lot of things after school and I suppose thinking about it now, yes, I probably should have done a bit more but I had a good career at high jump.
What's the highest level you got to?
I went to two Olympics and three Commonwealth Games and World Indoor Championships.
Did the Olympics.
Yes, yes that was my dream to get to the Olympics and I got there twice.
And when you 're in that arena at the opening session how does it make you feel?
When we did the opening ceremony which is brilliant, you know when you're walking round the track with all your team and that is brilliant and then when you're in the stadium there are just so many people there but that didn't really bother me to be fair. Once I got onto the high jump fan and I started high jumping it didn't matter how many people were watching. It's really strange because you are really nervous but you're not nervous about the people in the stadium, I mean there were thousands.
Did you achieve a medal?
No, I got into the final on both occasions though.
Even that is some achievement.
Yes, it was.
In terms of encouragement not just from people in the Olympic team but people who've encouraged you from the local area does anybody really come to mind?
Well, Mr. Tomlin from the boy's school and three lady PE teachers that I had at school they used to do loads, so they really did encourage me. Which you probably don't get that as much now because they've not got the time I don't think at school but they were so wonderful my PE teachers at school, at Chichele Girls' School.
So you got ????????? you've come in with your little girl is she interested in athletics?
Well, she's not, the older one - I've got a twelve year old, she comes training with me but I'm not trying to over encourage her, if she wants to do it she can if not. I don't want to force her to do it because my husband used to run as well so he's run for England as well so and you're in that situation there where you don't want to, you would like them to do it but you don't want to force them to do it, if she wants to do it them I'll let her. Because I mean I didn't start probably until I was about fifteen.
A very sensible decision.
So, yes.
How did you meet your husband, was it through the sport.
Yes, we belonged to the same athletic club.
So you 've got a sporting background.
Yes.
That's brilliant. Any young people today contemplating going into athletics what sort of advice would you give them?
Just enjoy; it's hard work and it's not very nice these cold winter nights, I mean I train three times a week down at my local track and the last few weeks have not been pleasant but you have to keep going and it's enjoyable anyway, it is an enjoyable sport there are so many things you can do with athletics as well.
Yes, each time you went training did you have that Olympic gold always in front of you or were you there purely because you enjoyed it?
Yes, I was I did enjoy it, I didn't go into it for any other reason. I just really enjoyed competing and being fit I suppose.
I know that a lot of people locally enjoyed your success and they followed you quite closely.
Yes, they did and I had a lot of help and support from friends and family.
Did you have anyone locally who was prepared to sponsor you?
I did have a sponsor, I think it was a glass company in Wellingborough but they did help me in 1984. I had a sponsored car I think and they did various things for me.
Is it necessary for that sort of thing because there's quite a lot of money involved.
Yes, because I was only working part time I think or the six months leading up to Los Angeles I wasn't working at all so I did need some sponsorship but I mean I did get help from the British Athletics Board as well, we got sponsorship from there. I think they have lottery grants now but it was training awards then that they used to give out.
Well, Diana Elliot thank you very much indeed for sharing a few moments with us today.
Thank you.

Sports Personalities Interviewed 2003