Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Saturday
Going the Distance
Aired April 19, 2003 - 14:56 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN ANCHOR: He was the very last person to cross the finish line at the London Marathon, completing the race nearly a week after the other runners, but for former boxer Michael Watson, it was better than winning the lottery. Liz George has his inspiring story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIZ GEORGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was almost an honor guard, moments after the parade from Buckingham Palace, up the mound came ex-boxer Michael Watson. As he crossed the London Marathon finish line, his mother put the marathon medal around his neck.
MICHAEL WATSON, EX-BOXER, MARATHON RUNNER: I feel super, I feel overwhelmed.
GEORGE (on camera): Six day, two hours, 26 minutes, and 18 seconds. Not the fastest ever time for a marathon, but still an amazing achievement for a man who was told he would never walk again.
(voice-over): But walk he did, and for the last leg of the marathon he was joined by Chris Hubank (ph), the boxer who left him with the injuries that almost cost him his life. After collapsing in the 12th round of their 1991 title fight, Watson spent 40 days in the coma and had six brain operations.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was moving. And I feel --- I feel rather ashamed as much as I have not done anything in regards to what he has done. Having come through what he's come through, the injuries he's had, and doing what he's doing.
GEORGE: Still partially paralyzed, each mile of the marathon took an hour for Watson to walk. He said he reached the pain barrier the first day, but his target of raising money for the Brain and Spine Foundation kept him going.
A few collecting buckets are still to be tallied, but already he's raised 40,000 pounds, $63,000.
WATSON: This will be a door for me for more things to come. I have been looking forward for -- sky will be the limits. And also (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GEORGE: For Michael Watson, a last place finish, and a great victory.
Liz George, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired April 19, 2003 - 14:56 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN ANCHOR: He was the very last person to cross the finish line at the London Marathon, completing the race nearly a week after the other runners, but for former boxer Michael Watson, it was better than winning the lottery. Liz George has his inspiring story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LIZ GEORGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was almost an honor guard, moments after the parade from Buckingham Palace, up the mound came ex-boxer Michael Watson. As he crossed the London Marathon finish line, his mother put the marathon medal around his neck.
MICHAEL WATSON, EX-BOXER, MARATHON RUNNER: I feel super, I feel overwhelmed.
GEORGE (on camera): Six day, two hours, 26 minutes, and 18 seconds. Not the fastest ever time for a marathon, but still an amazing achievement for a man who was told he would never walk again.
(voice-over): But walk he did, and for the last leg of the marathon he was joined by Chris Hubank (ph), the boxer who left him with the injuries that almost cost him his life. After collapsing in the 12th round of their 1991 title fight, Watson spent 40 days in the coma and had six brain operations.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was moving. And I feel --- I feel rather ashamed as much as I have not done anything in regards to what he has done. Having come through what he's come through, the injuries he's had, and doing what he's doing.
GEORGE: Still partially paralyzed, each mile of the marathon took an hour for Watson to walk. He said he reached the pain barrier the first day, but his target of raising money for the Brain and Spine Foundation kept him going.
A few collecting buckets are still to be tallied, but already he's raised 40,000 pounds, $63,000.
WATSON: This will be a door for me for more things to come. I have been looking forward for -- sky will be the limits. And also (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GEORGE: For Michael Watson, a last place finish, and a great victory.
Liz George, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
