WORLD SPORTS SCENE / RANDY HARVEY : Scandal Puts the Brakes on Resurgent British Track Program

If asked who is most responsible for Great Britain’s resurgence in track and field, most of the sport’s followers would immediately think of sprinter Linford Christie and hurdlers Colin Jackson and Sally Gunnell. Two who should be considered at least as prominently for their contributions off the track are British Athletic Federation officials Frank Dick and Andy Norman.

Make that former officials.

Within the last month, Dick, the national coach, resigned; Norman, the promotions director, was forced out; and British track and field, according to sprinter John Regis, has collapsed into chaos.

“Everyone is fleeing a sinking ship,” he said, naming others who have abandoned the BAF in the fallout. “We’re going to have to go five years back before we can go forward again.”

Dick, who walked out because he did not believe his budget was adequate, will not be easy to replace. But the loss of Norman might ultimately have more repercussions.

Faced more than a decade ago with the challenge of changing the fortunes of a declining power in a declining sport, he promoted track not only by attracting enough sponsorship and television money so that British athletes had quality meets at home, but also by ensuring that they could compete in top meets for top money abroad.

As he promoted the sport, he also promoted himself. The former police sergeant who was introduced to track as team manager of the force’s recreational sports club eventually became one of the most powerful men in the sport.

Critics, most of them targets of his abrasive personality and quick temper, claimed he had abused that power, and his practices were constantly under scrutiny. The BAF’s new executive chairman, Peter Radford, might have asked him to leave even if the tragic events of the last eight months had not unfolded.

They culminated 10 days ago, when Norman, 50, was dismissed for his vindictive behavior leading up to the apparent suicide of one of England’s most respected track reporters, Cliff Temple of the Times of London.

After Temple had written an article critical of Norman last August, the promoter carried out a threat, spreading rumors that Temple had sexually harassed an athlete while serving as her coach.

Temple and the athlete denied the charge, but Norman did not relent. When he was warned that Temple, who had other personal problems, was sinking deeper into depression because of the rumors, the promoter reportedly said, “If there is anything I can do to push him over the edge, I will.” Something apparently did. Temple, 46, is believed to have thrown himself in front of a train last Jan. 7.

In firing Norman, the BAF reserved judgment on whether he should bear any responsibility for Temple’s death, but said he was guilty of inappropriate conduct.

Among the British athletes upset by the BAF’s decision were Regis and hurdler Tony Jarrett, who train during London’s cold winter and spring months at UCLA under Coach John Smith. Over the objections of BAF officials who thought they would receive better care at home, they were allowed to come to Westwood for the first time last year at Norman’s insistence. He was vindicated when each won two silver medals during the 1993 World Championships. Neither had to fight to return this year.

“If you showed potential as an athlete, Andy made sure you had a chance to fulfill it,” Regis said last week. “I’d say 75% of the credit for what we’ve done in the last few years should go to him. He had to be reprimanded, but for him to be thrown out of the sport is wrong.”

Regis blamed the British media.

No apologies are forthcoming from the British press, which continues to fire shots at the BAF for buying out Norman’s contract in a settlement worth a reported $150,000, failing to disqualify him from a future role in British track and field and refusing to deny speculation that his hand-picked deputy, Ian Stewart, will replace him.

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More sad news from England concerned the AIDS-related death Friday of 1976 Olympic figure skating champion John Curry.

Among those inspired by his artistry was compatriot Robin Cousins, who succeeded him as the gold medalist. Following is an excerpt from the statement he released from his Southern California home:

“John never compromised his ideas or choreography to suit the requirements of the judges. He just gave an honest package that included the jumps, spins and steps and choreographed them to his own specifications, allowing him to pursue his visions of skating.

“Because of John Curry, the international world of figure skating will never be the same . . . he paved the way for me and my fellow skaters to challenge the Establishment and make our sport one of the most visual and exciting to be in.”

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As usual, the Mt. San Antonio College Relays Sunday at Walnut had almost as many Olympians among the spectators as it did on the track. Taking in one of the first significant outdoor meets of the new season were 400-meter gold medalists Steve Lewis, Quincy Watts and Marie-Jose Perec and 200-meter world champion Frankie Fredericks. Perec, of France, had agreed to run a relay leg, but her team withdrew when one of the other women dropped out.