1972 Olympic 800 meters

[kozmon0t]

This is far less amazing if you pay attention to the clock. Just under 1.46 - oh yeah, it's the Olympics. Anyone still on the track after 600m can win when the pace is that slow.

They call it "tactical," but for the fastest runners, it's the stupidest tactic they could use. It puts the race up for grabs.

[TheEctomorph]

What a fantastic race ... and what a remarkable performance by the "man with the cap"; Mr Wottle. Not for nothing did they call the 1972 Olympic 800m champion the "head waiter"!

[TheEctomorph]

Mr Wottle was somewhat reminscient of Yuriy Borzakovsky, in terms of his race tactics and propensity to run the 800 metres at a remarkably even pace throughout. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Mr Borzakovsky was reminiscent of Mr Wottle ... seeing that the American athlete's sensational Olympic victory  - back in September 1972 - preceded the Russian's by about 32 years !

[stringcatt]

lucky arzhanov got in the way of boit, deiter fromm got in the way of everyone and the pole and ouko insured that carter got 5th instead of 4th.

[Jimmy911ism]

He made Borzakovsky look like a bolter at the start. It's hard to see well and first time I watched it I thought 'that Swedish guy's gone already!' Very good how he kept going and he reeled in in the second last guy over that 500m and then passed him inside at the 300, then turned on the burners weaved around the next guy and proceeded to run around them. Looked out of it at the 150. Then in the straight he had a chance at 2nd. The white guy who got 5th, is how sprints like this usually end up.

[fintusas]

Nice

[EckoCenturion76]

LMAO WOW....Its funny when they was on tha back stretch on the last lap I had a feeling the won who won was going to win. I could just tell. Just a lil game I play to test myself and others. That is to say who's going to win before the race is over.

[genesisfix]

Still one of the most amazing races I've ever watched. And I've watched a lot!

[cbak12sg]

What a relief to hear David Coleman. I can't stand the clip with the yank commentator.

[oneputtsteven]

Actually I enjoy both versions, one neutral, and one cheerleading.

[wemonk]

the "yank" commentator is the wonderful Jim McKay, who became famous for his coverage of the 72 Olympics.

[runr539]

pussys

[godfathercash420]

what a Great turn of Foot by the winner.. da race set up for him with a fast pace !!

[bluehighlighterfreak]

this may sound stupid but wouldn't a hat with a forward brim hinder your time? even a second is a big deal at this level.

[stanfordsammie]

maybe, it may have been as close, but who knows.

[bluehighlighterfreak]

not worth the chance though. its crazy to see people running with big gold chains in a sport where everything is so fine tuned. Tuner cars go to great lengths to remove every bit of dead weight possible thats in their cars. even a pound makes a difference. i can't believe some sprinters wear about 8 ounces in gold around their necks.

[toby099]

@bluehighlighterfreak

I don't think it mattered here. Wattle had the sprint, they didn't. So what he was wearing was irrelevant.

[albionboy72]

classic race...did 'e win? I think he did

[IANBOT2]

Dave Wottle the man. Had the late kick.

[beitvosk777]

i see it yet i still can not beleive it

[Alan1234x]

Unbelievable! That is when the Olympics were great.

[MarkCoupe08]

yeah coz there crap now... not

[learntoplayy]

SLOOOOOOOW! xD Nice sprint by the american in the end!

[pujolsbaseball13]

omg at first it looked like they were running a 200!

[garicmidknight]

a non doper won! omg! truly a legend!

[fanofthe37]

i run the 800m and thats how i run, working my way from the back, and i ware a hat

[wallabywinterwonder]

pretty sure ya dont run 145 tho

[littlechiller4]

coming from last to winning is always amazaing.

[aricvh]

wtf hes wearing a hat...thats balln!

[greatufos]

notice the ydidnt even mention his name harldt until he won wow is right amazing

[asmilesa]

what?

[SuperJoe29]

wow!

[janet928]

amazing!!

[kakapooh]

what a run!

[Vydio]

I remember this...absolutely amazing run.