Mile News


A look back at Seb Coe’s golden years

October 05, 2016

Politics and IAAF presidency aside, let’s not forget what a fantastic athlete Coe was: Olympic champion, Mile world record holder and more!

By Jason Henderson, Athletics Weekly

Every athlete usually remembers a moment where they were drawn into the sport. For me, I was hooked after watching the Seb Coe and Steve Ovett showdown at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. Aged 11, I watched their first clash over 800 meters at a friend’s house and then challenged him and his brother to a race around the block. Two laps, of course.

I was an Ovett fan to start with. Yet before long I converted to Coe. I always loved an underdog and after being beaten by Ovett in the 800m Coe was definitely the outsider in the Moscow 1500m as he took on a runner who had been undefeated at the distance for three years and 45 races.

Coe’s comeback victory in Moscow captured my imagination. I was fascinated that such a frail physique could conceal so much speed and strength. Then there was his famed ‘double kick’, which he used to see off Ovett and Jurgen Straub.

Four years later, I rose in the early hours of the morning to watch the BBC broadcast of Coe firstly finishing a gallant second to the great Brazilian Joaquim Cruz over 800m in the Los Angeles Olympics before making another terrific comeback to win the 1500m ahead of Steve Cram.

Continue reading at: www.athleticsweekly.com

Tags: steve ovett (24) , steve cram (26) , sebastian coe (50) , olympics (67) , moscow olympics (5) , los angeles olympics (1) , jurgen straub (1) , joaquim cruz (1)

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