When you think of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, you immediately think of the Black Power Salute of the 200 meters, Kip Keino and Jim Ryan in the “rabbited” 1500 meters, the Bob Beamon Long Jump, and Dick Fosbury’s High Jump.
These events are etched in Gold.
Some people may even remember the Marathon. Not for the winner, Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia, but for the guy who finished last: John Stephen Akwari
For me, I talk about the 400 meters and the 4x400m all the time. What the hell did you expect? This site is called Speedendurance after all)
POP QUIZ: Who won the 800m?
Ah hah, you had a blank moment.
Come on, it wasn’t an African, American, or European… the countries you would expect to win.
Well?
Here is video on YouTube, but use the player below so there’s no spoiler.
Awesome race execution by the winner.
(scroll down for the winner)
The winner was Australia’s Ralph Doubell.
And, co-incidentally, Doubell was coached by Franz Stamfl, the same man who coach Roger Bannister to break the 4 minute mile.
Great race. Doubell’s performance from this race is still the Australian 800m record.
So is Peter Norman’s 200m from 1968!
Canada had that problem too with the 800m, with Bill Crothers’ record from 1964. Luckily, Gary Reed put it out of reach for most Canadians!
Funny, as I just re-watched “Without Limits” yesterday (Pre) and I couldn’t help but think (and I’m not taking anything away from Doubell of course…): “Winning any other way (in reference to front-running) is just chicken-shit” :)
My favourite 800m is Alberto winning the improbable “doublé” of 400 and 800! El Cabalo ;)
“Winning any other way (in reference to front-running) is just chicken-shit”” To me, that is a ridiculous statement. The idea is to win. To rabbit for everyone else is poor tactics. Very seldom nowadays does anyone lead start to finish. Even in WR attempts rabbits are employed. Remember, Pre got 4th in the 72 Olympics. Viren out raced him – especially tactically. Should we take something away from Viren because he didn’t cut a pace for Pre and then die out?
Does Pre look like he tried harder because of his head wobbling and bad form? Should we look down on all the great kickers like Bekele, Gebresalasse, Morcelli, and all the 1988 Kenyan gold medalists, who all came from well behind, running great tactical races to win?
I appreciate he died young but that doesn’t make him great although it seems to have. Keeping emotion out of it, what did Prefontaine ever win internationally that was was worth winning or even a world record distance worth breaking?
@Frank, America was built on heroes. Simple as that. Just check the IMDB movie library and you will see a common theme.