Veteran athletics commentator Ian Laxton, will address the U3A Helderberg audience in a meeting with his talk, ‘My Olympic Journey’ on Wednesday March 6, at 10am at the Strand Town Hall.
According to the U3A Helderberg, after a brief overview of the history of the Games, Ian’s talk will focus mainly on the modern era from 1986 onwards. He will cover aspects of South Africa’s participation, the privilege of attending the Games as an accredited media person and his personal career as a commentator.
Furthermore he will touch on highlights of the Games in Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004), commentating with the TVNZ (New Zealand) team, broadcasting on handball and off-tube commentating in Australia.
Ian began his career as a TV commentator, writer and producer in 1986 with the first all-day, live coverage of the Comrades Marathon by the SABC. He continued broadcasting on this race for 30 years until he retired.
During this time, he also did numerous live broadcasts on road running as well as track and field events on both radio and TV, locally and internationally.
Besides commentating at three Olympic Games, Ian has also worked on radio and TV at several World Athletics Championships and World Cross-Country Championships, a Commonwealth Games and an All-Africa Games.
Since retiring to Helderberg Village in Somerset West in 2020, he has written a novel, The Final Lap, set in the world of international track. The book has received excellent reviews from critics and readers alike.
Ian is married to former international track, cross-country and road athlete Sonja Laxton (sound familiar?). They have a daughter, Kim, a specialist psychiatrist in private practice in Johannesburg.
The public is invited to come and put a face to the very familiar voice of this true commentating Olympian and enjoy his reflections on life as a TV person at the Olympics and in the world of international athletics.
Ian’s book, The Final Lap, will be available to purchase by arrangement with Ian himself. Members enter for free; visitors pay R20 at the door. For further enquiries contact Denise Fourie on 072 211 1172.
