Debbie Flintoff-King to be honoured with bronze statue at new running track in Mornington
Olympic gold medallist Debbie Flintoff-King’s final moment of the Seoul 400m hurdles will be recalled forever in bronze at a Mornington athletics track if a public art project can raise the cash through mini — but pricey — versions of the sculpture.
South East
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If it wasn’t for a nudge from her mum Olympic gold medal hurdler Debbie Flintoff-King would never have agreed to get involved in a public art project.
“I’m shy. But when Rob (McCarthy) rang her looking for me because he wanted to create a statue of me, Mum made me call him back,” Flintoff-King said.
“At the time I couldn’t understand it. Why? Why would anyone want to do that?”
The team behind the initiative – Robert McCarthy and sculptor Stephen Glassborow – managed to talk her around.
Mr McCarthy said the bronze sculpture would celebrate Flintoff-Kings remarkable career and celebrate her “quiet contributions” to the community.
“It’s also a symbol of encouragement and inspiration to others, particularly young women.
“So few women have been honoured in this way.”
About a year after first being approached Flintoff-King was more comfortable with the idea.
“It’s an honour. I know that’s a cliche, but it’s really how I feel,” she said.
“And if it encourages one young woman to take up track and field it will be worth all the fuss.”
HAVE YOUR SAY: Tell us below why you think Flintoff-King should or shouldn’t be celebrated with a sculpture.
Fuss is something Flintoff-King has tried to avoid since retiring in 1991 after a stellar carer that included winning gold in record time the 400m at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, silver at the 1987 World Championships and gold and silver medals across three Commonwealth Games.
While other successful athletes moved onto careers in TV and radio, Flintoff-King turned to yoga and currently teaches a class at Benton’s Square Community Centre.
Before the coronavirus lockdown began she travelled to Sydney several times to work with Glassborow on the sculpture’s design.
In addition to sitting for him she also shared her favourite photo from her most famous race – the Olympic 400m hurdles in Seoul.
“In that picture I have just crossed the line. It’s over,” she said.
“The feeling was one of relief. You always feel that when a race is done. It’s never ‘I won, I won. I won’.
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Glassborow has created 15 limited edition maquettes, or mini sculptures, that will be sold for $12,000 each to raise the $180,000 needed to cover the cost of the final artwork.
“It’s a rare chance for people or a business to be able to contribute to a piece of public art,” Mr McCarthy said.
The model has worked before to create statues of boxers Johnny Famechon in Frankston and Lionel Rose in Warragul and Essendon great John Coleman in Hastings.
Mornington Peninsula Shire council has approved the plan to place the finished piece near the new athletics track at Civic Reserve in Mornington.
To find out more or express interest in buying a maquette email Rob McCarthy at rmbronze@gmail.com