She wanted to kick my butt, I wanted to kick hers.. No regrets

Tessa's feud with Fatima not fully sorted 40yrs on

- SUE CRAWFORD

TESSA Sanderson has still not resolved her notorious feud with fellow javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread, 40 years on.

The athletes' fierce rivalry culminated at the 1984 Olympics, with Tessa taking gold and Fatima having to settle for bronze.

At the time, the pair barely spoke but Tessa believes the hostility spurred her on to greater success.

She said: "We were very tough rivals but I've never regretted having that rivalry, mainly because she wanted to kick my butt and I wanted to kick hers.

"Sometimes I think you need that little bit of aggression. It makes you think everybody else wants that crown that you want. Don't let them have it."

At the height of the feud, Tessa said Fatima received greater promotion and was favoured by athletics authorities.