I was 11 & havnt seen it from then till now. What a joy to watch it! Expected Bedford to run away from these guys & maybe break the world record. Worried when Bedford couldn't get away from them, but did not expect a finish like that . . My God did not expect a finish like that!!
haase looked gone with 200m to go but he would not give up. the look on his face at 0.36 is intense, he looks like he's yelling, you could see how badly he wanted it. And vaatinen had the guts to fend him off. The stuff of champions. I just wish Vaatinen was healthy for Munich, everyone blabs about Prefontaine VS Viren. Pre never would have beaten a healthy Vaatinen, let alone Viren, Vaatinen really would have challenged Viren if healthy.
This is probably the one non-Olympic race that ranks right up there with the best Olympic races. I wish the entire race - or at least the second half - was posted so those of us born later could witness the set-up to this legendary finish.
Whether a healthy Vaatinen could have kicked like that off a 4 minute last mile aka the '72 Olympic 5k is questionable. There were a lot of kickers who didn't keep up with Pre and Viren over those last 4 laps in Munich.
I remember watching this race when I was 11 years old .... It was the most exciting race I;d ever seen ...why else would I look on youtube for it almost 38 years later ... still fabulous to see even now. "Nitedemon436" is correct .. it was "greatness" that night .. glad I was around to watch it on tele that night
Been boring people for over 20yrs telling all and sundry about this fantastic race. The finish doesnt really tell all the story as it was a truly gruelling race. When these two sprinted away it made millions around Europe drop their jaws in amazement. I agree with jwntrj about cheering on Vaatainen as he had the balls to go for it first. In the early 70's, T.V companies hardly ever screened live athletics, so live European athletics in your home on a wet and cold Wed night was a REAL treat, Thx.
I watched this race live when I was seven and I've thought of it ever since as the greatest I've ever seen. Gebrselassie v Tergat in 2000 and Kipchoge v el Guerrouj in Paris, 2003, were possibly even more thrilling but to me Vaatainen-Haase in Helsinki is the stuff of legend. We in England were cheering for Bedford but when Vaatainen and Haase took off, we could only look on in awe. No wonder the crowd went nuts. Thanks for posting it.
Historical greatness. This is what matters. Juha Vaatainen will be forever remembered for this race. His immortality is assured. This race will NEVER be forgotten. Who can remember the closing stages of the last European Championships 10,000 metres final ? or indeed the last Olympic 10,000 metres final ? Vaatainen's place amongst the Pantheon of athletic gods was attained with this one race. Jurgen Haase must be close to getting in as well.
Unreal. I watch all Golden Leagues. This is what it used to be :( Finland vs. East-Germany... Or something. Now it is Ethiopia vs. Kenya or something. Who cares?
Really!? We, the racists. We care ? Should we?
I am white. That is damn good race in this tube. I should magically change liking 18 black guys racing. Don´t think so. We are what we are. We love and we hate. None can change that.
I was 11 & havnt seen it from then till now. What a joy to watch it! Expected Bedford to run away from these guys & maybe break the world record. Worried when Bedford couldn't get away from them, but did not expect a finish like that . . My God did not expect a finish like that!!
ianzanshin 1 year ago
haase looked gone with 200m to go but he would not give up. the look on his face at 0.36 is intense, he looks like he's yelling, you could see how badly he wanted it. And vaatinen had the guts to fend him off. The stuff of champions. I just wish Vaatinen was healthy for Munich, everyone blabs about Prefontaine VS Viren. Pre never would have beaten a healthy Vaatinen, let alone Viren, Vaatinen really would have challenged Viren if healthy.
jimmyg141 2 years ago
This is probably the one non-Olympic race that ranks right up there with the best Olympic races. I wish the entire race - or at least the second half - was posted so those of us born later could witness the set-up to this legendary finish.
Whether a healthy Vaatinen could have kicked like that off a 4 minute last mile aka the '72 Olympic 5k is questionable. There were a lot of kickers who didn't keep up with Pre and Viren over those last 4 laps in Munich.
futuremodal 2 years ago
I remember watching this race when I was 11 years old .... It was the most exciting race I;d ever seen ...why else would I look on youtube for it almost 38 years later ... still fabulous to see even now. "Nitedemon436" is correct .. it was "greatness" that night .. glad I was around to watch it on tele that night
cosmicwarlord2002 3 years ago
Sebastion Coe once praised this race highly.
I´ve never seen the stadium errupt when it did that day.
FinnMove 3 years ago
@FinnMove Julma-Juha is my favourite sporttype of all Athletics, he walked his own paths.... own person and big winner type.
MrJuha82 2 months ago
Been boring people for over 20yrs telling all and sundry about this fantastic race. The finish doesnt really tell all the story as it was a truly gruelling race. When these two sprinted away it made millions around Europe drop their jaws in amazement. I agree with jwntrj about cheering on Vaatainen as he had the balls to go for it first. In the early 70's, T.V companies hardly ever screened live athletics, so live European athletics in your home on a wet and cold Wed night was a REAL treat, Thx.
gypsycol 3 years ago
I watched this race live when I was seven and I've thought of it ever since as the greatest I've ever seen. Gebrselassie v Tergat in 2000 and Kipchoge v el Guerrouj in Paris, 2003, were possibly even more thrilling but to me Vaatainen-Haase in Helsinki is the stuff of legend. We in England were cheering for Bedford but when Vaatainen and Haase took off, we could only look on in awe. No wonder the crowd went nuts. Thanks for posting it.
jwnrtj 3 years ago 5
Historical greatness. This is what matters. Juha Vaatainen will be forever remembered for this race. His immortality is assured. This race will NEVER be forgotten. Who can remember the closing stages of the last European Championships 10,000 metres final ? or indeed the last Olympic 10,000 metres final ? Vaatainen's place amongst the Pantheon of athletic gods was attained with this one race. Jurgen Haase must be close to getting in as well.
nitedemon436 3 years ago 5
Unreal. I watch all Golden Leagues. This is what it used to be :( Finland vs. East-Germany... Or something. Now it is Ethiopia vs. Kenya or something. Who cares?
Really!? We, the racists. We care ? Should we?
I am white. That is damn good race in this tube. I should magically change liking 18 black guys racing. Don´t think so. We are what we are. We love and we hate. None can change that.
korbendallas66 3 years ago 5