Photo via Athletics Weekly

Jon Ridgeon’s greatest race: Foster, Jackson and a dislocated toe

Reflecting on his career milestone, World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon recently recalled his remarkable silver-medal performance in the 110-meter hurdles at the September 1987 World Championships in Rome. Entering the global showcase full of youthful self-assurance after a strong summer that included setting a British record at the World Student Games, Ridgeon believed he could challenge American favourite Greg Foster.

Despite struggling through a grueling eight-hour traffic jam in a cramped automobile during a rest day excursion planned by his coaches Graham Knight and Bob Smith, the British athlete felt unprecedented speed during his warm-ups for the final.

Once the race began, disaster struck mid-competition when Ridgeon suffered a dislocated little toe upon landing after clearing the sixth hurdle. 29 seconds.

21 seconds, while Ridgeon's boyhood rival and British team-mate Colin Jackson finished closely behind to claim the bronze medal.