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1968 Mexico City Olympics: The Forgotten 800 meters

May 19, 2011 by Jimson Lee 8 Comments

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.

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Jimson Lee

Jimson Lee

Coach & Founder at SpeedEndurance.com
I am a Masters Athlete and Coach currently based in London UK. My other projects include the Bud Winter Foundation, writer for the IAAF New Studies in Athletics Journal (NSA) and a member of the Track & Field Writers of America.
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Filed Under: 800m-Mile, Olympic History, Track & Field, Videos

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  • Andy B says:
    May 19, 2011 at 5:56 am

    Great race. Doubell’s performance from this race is still the Australian 800m record.

    Reply
    • Jimson Lee says:
      May 20, 2011 at 2:35 am

      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!

      Reply
  • Eric Lepine says:
    May 19, 2011 at 7:25 am

    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” :)

    Reply
  • Eric Lepine says:
    May 20, 2011 at 5:08 am

    My favourite 800m is Alberto winning the improbable “doublé” of 400 and 800! El Cabalo ;)

    Reply
  • Bryano says:
    January 20, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    “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?

    Reply
  • Frank says:
    May 12, 2013 at 11:54 am

    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?

    Reply
    • Jimson Lee says:
      May 12, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      @Frank, America was built on heroes. Simple as that. Just check the IMDB movie library and you will see a common theme.

      Reply
  • hugh says:
    October 29, 2013 at 2:14 pm

    yep its not all about winning …there are many lads who would have and should have. and could have…..and are heroes and idols to many …….for instance cameron sharp the scots sprinter of the early eighties who could have been on the same level as wells if it were not for injuries recieved in a car accident …this lad had all the tools……as did prefontaine …long live the memory of great athletes ,who deserve the respect they get!!

    Reply
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