OLYMPICS ONCE GRACED BY ANTRIM BOWLER
BY: Andy Matchett
Over the past couple of weeks i guess our eyes have been on Beijing and the olympic games. But how many clubs can say they sport their own former olympian? Well we at Antrim Lawn can say we can.
The name Michael Teer may not be known to many throughout the bowling world expect those i guess who have been beaten by him on a Saturday afternoon at Antrim Park.
But what many dont know is that Michael was once an olympic Marathon runner gracing the games away back in 1972 in Munich and the year i was born 1976 in Montreal. On both occasions i hear Michael finished in the top 20 a wonderful fate by an Northern Irish man in those days with the American and African nations dominating the sport back then just like they are today.
One man who Michael can say he competed against was the great Sir Roger Bannister.
Other achievements Mike can look back is representing his country at the Commonwealth Games and winning the Belfast City Marathon on quite a few occasions. Down the years Mike set many quick record times whcih still stand today not only in marathon events but also 10'000 metres races.
After retiring in the early eighties and giving those famous marathon running shoes a well earned rest Michael took up bowls and has proven to be just a great a bowler as he was a runner. This season Michael has already won both the club and veteran singles titles a fate he has done i hear on quite a few occasions so he is the player i guess all want to avoid when the draw is made each season.
Michael though is a very modest man and never really talks about his great olympic past but i couldn't let this opportunity of a small feature like this past me by. Everyone deserves credit when it is dew so this was my chance to give a great sporting man like Mike Teer his moment of stardom on the world wide web.
Over the coming weeks i will also be featuring a few other bowlers on this site with famous pasts so watch this space for a few surprises.
