Coe and Ovett, a trip down memory lane

I've just finished reading "The Perfect Distance - Ovett and Coe: The Record Breaking Rivalry." It was journey down memory lane, as I read not only of their rivalry but also of Jeff Capes, Fatima Whitbread, Steve Cram, Dave Moorcroft, Daley Thompson and all the great British athletes of the early to mid 1980's. I remember watching the great duels of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow over 800 and 1500 metres. The amazement we felt when Ovett stole the 800 from Coe and people thought he would double up on the 1500 only to lose it to Coe.

Then came the 1984 Olympics in LA when Mary Decker and Zola Budd clashed in the 3,000 metres, Decker going to the ground and Budd,after being spiked, struggling to finish the race. But the great race was again the 1500 in which Coe would become the first person ever to successfully defend his gold over the 1500.

If you like great sports rivalries then this a book for you to read.

I had the privilege of seeing both Coe and Ovett run at Mary Peter's Track in Belfast. Indeed the international events at this track allowed me to see some of the world's greatest run. I've watched John Walker, Zola Budd, Tessa Sanderson, Jeff Capes, Fatima Whitbread and others all compete in person. It really is a delight to see the worlds best compete in person.

Comments

[Brian O]

Of course, the American version of the story had Budd cutting Decker off and causing her to fall! I am going to pick up that book. I liked "Duel in the Sun", BTW. Thanks for that recommnedation.

[neil]

If you remember this rivalry then you'll enjoy the book. I had a crush on Zola Budd and went to great lengths to be the only fan to get her autograph when she ran in Belfast! She never cut Decker off, Decker spiked her and that cost her the gold!

[Brian O]

The only other thing I remember from that race is that the Romanian who won it (can't remember her name) was pretty tough -- it was not a foregone conclusion that either Budd or Decker would have gotten gold had the "collision" not happened. I wonder if the race is on youtube or somewhere else out on the net.