Dick Tayler does — and he gets to relive one of the great days of his life today.
The long-distance runner was racing down the home stretch at the QEII track in Christchurch, throwing his arms in the air as he crossed the finish line to win gold in the 10,000m on the opening day of the 1974 Commonwealth Games.
It has been a big few weeks for Tayler, who lives in Waikouaiti.
He celebrated his achievement at the national 10,000m at the Caledonian recently and will reminisce further today.
Tayler will be at Emerson’s Brewery this afternoon for a public viewing of his race on the big screen at 3pm, starting at the exact minute he ran the race 50 years ago.
A celebration dinner for more than 120 people is also being held at Glenfalloch tonight, featuring family and friends from throughout Tayler’s life, including four relatively impressive flatmates.
Former All Black and national 800m champion Bruce Hunter, former national 5000m silver medalist Lindsey Dey, former national junior mile champion Trevor Sutherland and former national colts hockey representative Neil Dey flatted together with Tayler in 1971 — in a flat in Bishops Rd dubbed the House of Sin — and will all attend tonight’s function.
Longtime friend and broadcaster Paul Allison will host a This Is Your Life-style chat with Tayler, splitting his life into three sections: the early days, the Commonwealth Games and life after running.
Allison said it was a privilege to be involved in the event recalling a special moment in New Zealand’s sporting history.
"People of a certain vintage remember certain things that happen in the world and where they were at the time," Allison said.
"Many people say, ‘I know where I was when the moon landing happened with Neil Armstrong’.
"Many people say, ‘I know where I was when Dick Tayler won his gold medal’ because it was the first live colour television sporting event in New Zealand.
"This is one of those moments that’s actually quite a special moment because it captured the public’s imagination."
He praised Athletics Otago and Ariki, Tayler’s club, for putting the events together.
"I think it’s quite fitting that something like this is happening 50 years on to the day."
