Mary Slaney

She's been knocked down more often than a mediocre four-ring brawler, only to bounce back hungrier for success than before, and if they ever make a movie of her life, they should call it, "She Was No Quitter."

One of her coaches calls her a "rare breed," with talent to spare. And there's absolutely no doubt about it: if she stays healthy, Mary Slaney will be a power to reckon with at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials. If she succeeds, it's on to the Olympics in July.

It could be a large "if" since Mary, now 37 but still running like a filly, has been a hospital case more often than she cares to remember. Still, she's been healthy all year and has given every indication she's ready to challenge for an Olympic berth at 1500 or 5000 meters --- perhaps both.

She definitely plans to try the 5K, now her number one event, but as recently as June 2 gave ample proof she's also ready for the four-lapper, clocking a highly-commendable 4:07:51 in a meet in British Columbia.

That was her quickest effort since 1992 and the second-best by an American this year.

That's the same Mary Slaney who has been a front-runner since her teens; who, to this day, holds American records from 800 to 3000m; who has been to the Olympics twice, only to return empty-handed both times; who has been plagued by so many leg injuries that she's lost count of the trips to the clinic.

Every time she was hospitalized --- for Achilles tendon surgery or other ailments --- her running career went on hold. Sometimes for days; frequently for weeks. And Mary's impatience grew only stronger.

The running oval, that's where she belongs. Running, perhaps, became an obsession for this diminutive (5-6, about 108 lbs.) brunette. But it's also her enjoyment. And this year, she allowed, the attraction is much stronger: the Olympics are in the U.S.

For Mary, it's "the personal satisfaction of being there again." Thus, she is totally focused on the Trials.

"Right now I think about the Trials, nothing else; not the future. That's it, one day at a time. To think about anything else would be defeating my whole preparation. I can't think about the future."

Despite many disappointments, the past hasn't been all bad for Mary, a top competitor for a quarter century. With her numerous records came national, Pan American Games and World Championships titles, plus the Sullivan Award as the country's outstanding amateur athlete in 1982.

On the track, more often than not, she set the pace, virtually from the start of each race. That was always her "thing," to take the lead as quickly as possible and stay in front.

But Olympic gold --- or any Olympic medal, for that matter --- has eluded her. There was that memorable, though tragic, moment in the 3000m at the 1984 Olympics when she collided with Zola Budd, the barefoot South African native running for Great Britain. Mary tumbled to the ground. Moments later, she tearfully accused Budd of cutting in front of her too sharply.

Nowadays, however, Slaney is convinced it was an accident, but with it her medal hopes vanished.

She got another chance at Seoul four years later, but finished a disappointing eighth in the 1500 and 10th at 3000m. And 92 found her ailing. She went to the Trials in New Orleans hardly recovered from one of her chronic foot injuries, finishing fourth in the 1500 and out of the running for Olympic glory.

There was more surgery. In all, there were 18 or 20 of them. Mary lost track of her "down time." But now she's healthy --- save for a recent kidney infection --- and she has conquered that, too. And she's running with renewed vigor and reassurance.

In the recent Prefontaine Classic at Eugene, Ore., her home base, she placed fifth in the 3000, after battling the kidney ailment for a couple of weeks. Soon after, Slaney turned in her fine 1500 at the Jerome Track Classic, proof enough she was serious about her comeback attempt.

"I wasn't surprised with my time," she said, relaxing at her home in Eugene. "I've been feeling good this year. I'm finally starting to recover."

Her 4:07.51 obviously was a huge confidence-builder, especially since she still was not 100 per cent physically fit. "I was probably 80-90 per cent fit," she allowed, exuding confidence for the immediate future.

"The timing seems to be right. Now all I have left (before the Trials) is a couple of key workouts," including what she called "a little bit of short sharpening."

She willl concentrate on the 5000 in Atlanta, then decide with her coaches on the 1500. Alberto Salazar of marathon fame --- he's won Boston as well as New York --- and University of Oregon coach Bill Dellinger, himself an Olympic 5000m bronze medalist in 1964, are the coaching masterminds behind Mary.

Salazar, who works for Nike, has been Mary's coach the last couple of years. In fact, he's been more than a coach. "He helps out with everything, including advice." said Mary.

The day-to-day work with Mary has been the responsibility of Dellinger. The two coaches complement each other very well, Slaney said. And both are highly optimistic of her chances this month and next --- not just in the very rugged Trials, but in the Olympic showdown to come.

"I feel she's better poised now than ever before," said Salazar. "She has matured a lot physically and psychologically. She has learned she doesn't have to go out and lead (a race) from the start. She's added a weight training program the last 18 months, and she had never done that before. As a result, she is so much stronger and more fit."

Now, opined Salazar, she has the ability --- more than ever before --- to be a success in the 5K as well as the 1500.

"It's her strength that has made the difference," he said. Plus a controlled diet with protein supplements to build up her muscle mass.

Dellinger, who has known Mary for years, is very impressed with her progress. "Her times indicate she's running and progressing well," he said. "She's a very, very talented runner."

Both coaches agree Mary has a fine chance to win both events in Atlanta --- at least in the Trials. Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan is a prohibitive favorite in the Olympic women's 5K.

It's quite obvious Mary wants to compete in both events, barring injury or any other setback. "Calling her determined' might be the understatement of the year," said Dellinger. "The toughest job I have as her coach is to hold her back. I'be known her for years and I've never seen her when she wasn't determined. She is rare."

Besides, said Dellinger, Mary's husband, former British discus thrower Richard Slaney, is "100 per cent behind her."

Mary is pleased with her coaching tandem. "It works out great (and) they get along real well," she said.

"Bill has done a great job," offered Salazar. "The two of us are a great combination." He is convinced Mary is about ready for her next big challenge. "She has made huge strides in the last year," he said. "She's had smarter training."

"People have to realize Mary Slaney is back."

---Kurt Freudenthal