Miss Lillian Board OBITUARY Miss Lillian Board. M.B.E.. an ourstanaing sr'itsn atirtete who won the European 800 metres title in 1969. died on Boxing Day after a long ilIness. She was 22. She went to the Ringberg CLinic in Bavaria, west Germany, on November 7. only a few hours after the world learnt she had cancer. In the space of a few hectic years. she rose from obscurity to become a household name. She gave everything in the quest for top honours and the public loved her. She suffered from pain, mainly in the back. and the trouble was later diagnosed as Crohn's disease --an inflammation of the intes- tines. Reluctanthl she withdrew from Britain's probable squad for the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh. Then, on October 8, Lillian underwent an exploratory opera- tion at St. Mark's Hospital, London. She was not told that she had cancer until the announce- ment was made. But her parents, close relatives, athletic officials and journalists had known for some time. The decision to send her to Dr. Issel's clinic was made after watching a programme on B.B.C. T.V. featuring the doctor's tech- niques. lillian maintained with all the courage that hallmarked her races that she was " going to fight-and beat the disease She was nominated sports- woman of the year in the Daily Express ballot this month. Neil Allen, Athletics Coffes- pondent, writes: Lillian Board was a great compe- titor who, but for her tragic death at such a young age, would surely have gained many more successes on the track. As it is. she wvon an Olympic silver medal over 400 metres at Mexico City in 1968 and the next season became European 800 metyes champion before anchoring the British 4 by 400 metres relay team to a second European championship. Her last race was in the 1970 Women's A.A.A. 8CO metres in June when, in spite of the first signs of her illness, she bravely finished third. After that race Miss Board, who had been suffering from a stomach complaint for several weeks, was forced to withdrawv from the Com- monwealth Games team for Edin- burgh and eventually went into hospital. L:illian Board, who was born in Durban, South Africa, was a tal- ented sprinter and long jumper at school after starting in athletics under the devoted coaching of her father when she was only 12. She gained her first ful-l international for Britain over 400 metres against France 1966 and. even though she finished last, her great potential was obvious already. The following year, in Los Angeles, she made a major breakthrough when winning for the British Commonwealth against the United States in 52.8sec. at only 18. Later, in 1967. Miss Board was the only British winner in the final of the European Cup competition and by 1968 she vas already undei the burden of being an Olympic hope. In the 400 metres final a- Mlexico City she was beaten by only one tenth of a second by the little- known Colerte Besson of France after leading nearly all the way dowvn the home straight. The following season Lillian, who admitted that she had been annoyed by some press talk of Olympic "failure -. decided to concentrate on the 800 metres following a remarkable second place over two laps in the W.A.A.A. final of 1968. In the European championships in Athens she was in complete con;trol of the final throughout and wvon in 2min. 1.4sec.. her fastest ever for a distance which she had onlv run half a dozen times b_fore. On the last day of the championships the Bfitish girl cxcelled herself bv inching past Colettc Besson. her Olympic conqueror. on the final leg of the 4 by 400 metres relay. Just as important as her victories and records. to those who knew- her. W'as the fresh. friendlv person- ality of a girl who captivated both sports reporters and television audiences with her honestv and sense of humour. She was much more than a champion. She was also a very loyal. affectionate friend with a great zest for life. But for her illness she would have probably this year lowered the world record for 800 metres under- two minutes. But, in anm ease, she will be long remembered as one who epitomized the best qualities of her generation in er- sonality. MISS LILLIAN BOARD An outstanding British athlete