Alberto Juantorena was a superb physical human being, who spectacularly disproved the old athletics theory - or perhaps I should say myth (!) - that it was impossible for a man to excel at both the 400 and 800 metres events.
The excellent Michael Johnson - who I alluded to in my previous 'post' on this site - was also a phenomenally gifted athlete, who (IMCO) had great potential as an 800 metres runner. Johnson was blessed with (considerably) more basic speed even than Juantorena.
@TheEctomorph You seem to have the same opinion i do on this. Last spring, my freshman year, i never ran a single practice with the distance guys, only working with the 2/4 coach due to the fact the 400 was my specialty. I ran a 52.05 (no blocks) and a 2:05 being boxed for 3 corners 2 weeks after the end of the high school season. It seems to me that the best way to prepare for the 8 is to do plenty of 400m training too.
He was convinced to run the 800m FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT YEAR... and he ran a world record on only his 400m training. This reaffirms my belief that the 400/800 double would be more common if people would just let it be.
@zednik771 Yes, I am inclined to agree with you, sir. It is my prediction that the first man to break the elusive 1:40.00 barrier (in the 800 metres) will be a powerfully built, 'jumped up' 400 metres runner - with a personal best for the shorter distance of less than 44 secs.
I, for one, believe that Michael Johnson could probably have come close to breaking the 1:40 barrier for the 800 metres, had he chosen to specialise in that event when he was in his late teens or early twenties.
¨El Caballo¨.... ¨A man called Horse¨, ¨Un hombre llamado caballo¨ Juantorena made it to the Olympic final, and led the field for most of the race, eventually winning in a world record time of 1:43.50. Three days later, he also won the 400 m final, setting a low-altitude world record of 44.26.
Internationally, they went to a two turn stagger in 1976 only...A dumb idea that died after this year...really gave Juantorena, or any front runner, an advantage tactically.... I think there was a European Championship 800 final, where some serious roller derby action, crashed some runners as they collapsed down after the first turn , that brought on the temporary change...
Was that 300 meters in lane until they broke? That is wild.. I have never seen anything like that. I wonder why they'd do that.. there are rarely issues with a 100m break in the 800!
Alberto my 2nd cousin, i came out just like him,i'm what you call in Cuba a"Jabao"
i look white but am more black than anyone can tell. my wife who is also Cuban is dark skinned our children came out with darker skin and my youngest son who made us grandparents 10mths ago well out grandson is white with dirty blond curly hair and green/grey eyes, another Juantorena? we call him "el caballito blanco"lol. genetics are something else.
Indian Sriram singh (From rajasthan India) came 7th in this great race. No other Indian has ever come closer in an Olympic Final.Hope the new generation of Indian athletes will will improve upon Sriram's time and place.
@newromantic888 Yes indeed. He was a very fine athlete. Who knows what the big Belgian might have gone on to achieve in the late 1970's and early 80's? God rest his soul.
What can you say about Alberto Juantorena? His very name sounds like an elemental force of nature. White Lightning indeed. If any young athlete needs to know what people mean by the will to win, just show them this as the perfect embodiment of the concept. The sheer brute strength and majesty of that run, combined with his huge nine-foot stride length, makes it one of the most thrilling things I've seen in almost 40 years of watching athletics.
Van Dam would have played a big part of the Coe Ovett era had he lived......... Ovett said this to me when I met him and ran against him a couple of times....
When did they change the 800 so the break out of lanes was on the backstretch, as it is today, rather than around the second turn, as seen here? It seems to me that that really helps the sheer speed of this race, as there is no tactical gamesmanship for the first 300 or so, just flat out racing.
@bluv6 I believe they changed in 1980, the fans did not like the break @ 300, but I'm with you, I think it is good, no bumping, brings out the speed as you stated.
The 800 is an all-time classic. No quarter given, a blistering pace from start to finish.
Great races by everyone in the final, multiple NRs and PRs as well as Juantorena's WR.
Coleman was unfair to Ovett, expecting him to medal or win. Ovett ran a very well-judged race, no panic, maintained his position at the critical times and scored a PR...at the age of 20, in his first Olympic final. What more could be asked? The UK media expectations on Ovett prior to 1977 were unreal and unfair.
asi mismo casinero55, yo naci en el 64, el es un comuniston,pero un atleta excepcional, que en ese momento creyo en la revolucion,como muchos creimos, aplaudo a ese Juantorenas, no el de ahora. Bravo, adelante! yo me emocione, Cuba se emociono...no lo olvido.
i don't think we'll ever see any1 pull off this double again. 2 have the kind've speed 2 win an international men's 400 coupled with the strength, determination & heady race tactics needed 2 win an international 800? juantorena was 1 of a kind.
Remember, that is the year when the African countries boycotted due to New Zealand's involvement with South Africa in sports despite the ban bacause of apartheid.
this was the only time when runners had to run 300m before breaking - stupid! It favoured the winner as he was a 400m runner - lane 8 was a killer and Ovett got that one
Rick Wolhuter? Tasty, but no Jim Ryun nor even a Pre. He knew he was chasing silver! I think the saying about good Big'uns always beating good little'uns applies here!
@saladin400800 Have you ever heard of a German athlete called Rudolf Harbig? In 1939 - just before the outbreak of World War 2 - he held the world records for the 400 metres and 800 metres, simultaneously. If The Olympic Games had been held in 1940, he may well have won the elusive 400/800 double at the highest level - and thus preceded Alberto Juantorena by 36 years.
I firmly believe that the time will come when another man achieves what the big, heavily muscled Cuban athlete achieved
@saladin400800 [Continuing on from my previous 'post' about athletes who were world-class at 400 metres and 800 metres, simulataneously]: at the Montreal Olympic Games, back in '76. I just hope that I am around to see it!
They ran them that way when I was in high school in Washington state in the 80's, and I think they still did it for years after. Not sure if they still do it now. I didn't like it, but I was more of a 1600 & 3200 runner so I didn't have to do it too often.
how can the reporter say american second??? America is a continent!! Juan Torena is also American he is from america country.. why you do not respect the others americans....!!!
What I said is : "Include most track athletes of the same crime". As you know, he's not the only athlete cheating. And I do not support drugs in athletics...Never have, and never will ! But judged against other drugged athletes -that is if Juantorena was using drugs- his feat was remarkable. I believe the 400 & 800 are the most grueling events there is in the sprints (yes, the 800 is a long sprint).
Just for the record, I am a 48 year-old 400-800 runner, and still compete on the masters level. I own the world record in my age-group (45-49)at 1:54.18 since 05'. It stood for oner 15 yrs ! I also have the 3rd fastest time ever in the 400m in my age-group at 50.24. The world record is 50.20. So I literally know what it feels like to run these two events, no-less double in them. Good talking with you.
What a runner - he destroyed a field that good.
rc2869 2 months ago
I remember watching Alberto running when I was a kid. What a runner! For a big man he really could move.
ottogunsche 2 months ago
el caballo.....asi le decian....era un bravo
peruanorolando1 2 months ago
Alberto Juantorena was a superb physical human being, who spectacularly disproved the old athletics theory - or perhaps I should say myth (!) - that it was impossible for a man to excel at both the 400 and 800 metres events.
The excellent Michael Johnson - who I alluded to in my previous 'post' on this site - was also a phenomenally gifted athlete, who (IMCO) had great potential as an 800 metres runner. Johnson was blessed with (considerably) more basic speed even than Juantorena.
TheEctomorph 6 months ago
@TheEctomorph You seem to have the same opinion i do on this. Last spring, my freshman year, i never ran a single practice with the distance guys, only working with the 2/4 coach due to the fact the 400 was my specialty. I ran a 52.05 (no blocks) and a 2:05 being boxed for 3 corners 2 weeks after the end of the high school season. It seems to me that the best way to prepare for the 8 is to do plenty of 400m training too.
zednik771 6 months ago
He was convinced to run the 800m FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT YEAR... and he ran a world record on only his 400m training. This reaffirms my belief that the 400/800 double would be more common if people would just let it be.
zednik771 6 months ago
@zednik771 Yes, I am inclined to agree with you, sir. It is my prediction that the first man to break the elusive 1:40.00 barrier (in the 800 metres) will be a powerfully built, 'jumped up' 400 metres runner - with a personal best for the shorter distance of less than 44 secs.
I, for one, believe that Michael Johnson could probably have come close to breaking the 1:40 barrier for the 800 metres, had he chosen to specialise in that event when he was in his late teens or early twenties.
TheEctomorph 6 months ago
what a runner!
bijection765 6 months ago
¨El Caballo¨.... ¨A man called Horse¨, ¨Un hombre llamado caballo¨ Juantorena made it to the Olympic final, and led the field for most of the race, eventually winning in a world record time of 1:43.50. Three days later, he also won the 400 m final, setting a low-altitude world record of 44.26.
raulevich 7 months ago
Internationally, they went to a two turn stagger in 1976 only...A dumb idea that died after this year...really gave Juantorena, or any front runner, an advantage tactically.... I think there was a European Championship 800 final, where some serious roller derby action, crashed some runners as they collapsed down after the first turn , that brought on the temporary change...
gunnshop 7 months ago
Was that 300 meters in lane until they broke? That is wild.. I have never seen anything like that. I wonder why they'd do that.. there are rarely issues with a 100m break in the 800!
RileyAcoustic 9 months ago
the first athlet in the world who gained 400m and 800m at the Olimpics. Great!
anaitatando 9 months ago 2
aka the white lightening.
chickitakoowan 1 year ago
Alberto my 2nd cousin, i came out just like him,i'm what you call in Cuba a"Jabao"
i look white but am more black than anyone can tell. my wife who is also Cuban is dark skinned our children came out with darker skin and my youngest son who made us grandparents 10mths ago well out grandson is white with dirty blond curly hair and green/grey eyes, another Juantorena? we call him "el caballito blanco"lol. genetics are something else.
use2slam2 1 year ago
Lastima que sea tan chivaton y perro.
manny667 1 year ago
WHERE IS THE LUCK MAN HERE
newromantic888 1 year ago
Indian Sriram singh (From rajasthan India) came 7th in this great race. No other Indian has ever come closer in an Olympic Final.Hope the new generation of Indian athletes will will improve upon Sriram's time and place.
tapan1947 1 year ago
@tapan1947 PT USHA finished fourth in the womens 400m hurdles in 1984.
metsdudenj 1 year ago
Ivo Van Damme. ......what could of been. Very sad.
newromantic888 1 year ago
@newromantic888 Yes indeed. He was a very fine athlete. Who knows what the big Belgian might have gone on to achieve in the late 1970's and early 80's? God rest his soul.
TheEctomorph 4 months ago
What can you say about Alberto Juantorena? His very name sounds like an elemental force of nature. White Lightning indeed. If any young athlete needs to know what people mean by the will to win, just show them this as the perfect embodiment of the concept. The sheer brute strength and majesty of that run, combined with his huge nine-foot stride length, makes it one of the most thrilling things I've seen in almost 40 years of watching athletics.
madmax8903 1 year ago
@madmax8903 yeah, but he won by a meter, big deal.
stringcatt 1 year ago
Respond to this video...
99999rus 1 year ago
Van Dam would have played a big part of the Coe Ovett era had he lived......... Ovett said this to me when I met him and ran against him a couple of times....
siypic 1 year ago
he was a horse! If he was an American he woulda been steered into football as a wide receiver
JoeyPencils 1 year ago
Poor Quality for this video.
dal4018 1 year ago
Does Juantoreno still have the 800m record?
farrodread 1 year ago
@farrodread No. The current world record is 1:41.01 by David Rudisha.
IonicMolecule 1 year ago
@farrodread No. Mr [now Lord] Sebastian Coe broke his record in Oslo, Norway, on 3rd July 1979.
TheEctomorph 4 months ago
oh those giant powerful strides of el caballo........
auggdogrules 1 year ago 2
When did they change the 800 so the break out of lanes was on the backstretch, as it is today, rather than around the second turn, as seen here? It seems to me that that really helps the sheer speed of this race, as there is no tactical gamesmanship for the first 300 or so, just flat out racing.
bluv6 2 years ago
@bluv6 I believe they changed in 1980, the fans did not like the break @ 300, but I'm with you, I think it is good, no bumping, brings out the speed as you stated.
mstrunn 1 year ago
The 800 is an all-time classic. No quarter given, a blistering pace from start to finish.
Great races by everyone in the final, multiple NRs and PRs as well as Juantorena's WR.
Coleman was unfair to Ovett, expecting him to medal or win. Ovett ran a very well-judged race, no panic, maintained his position at the critical times and scored a PR...at the age of 20, in his first Olympic final. What more could be asked? The UK media expectations on Ovett prior to 1977 were unreal and unfair.
KingLiopleurodon 2 years ago 3
Check out Alberto's grandson Osmany Juantorena — a superstar volleyball player. It must run in the family!
kulza23 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
STATISTICS CALCULATION - from
BR-0 com/olympics htm
tietajajoshua 2 years ago
That's very true as David Coleman said "Juantorena opens his legs and shows his class."
weemanafghan 2 years ago
@weemanafghan
It was actually Ron Pickering that said that not Coleman!
trickygoose2 2 years ago
@weemanafghan
Is it in this video? Where is it?
omicron12345 1 year ago
What a huge stride he had!
writerjmd 2 years ago
asi mismo casinero55, yo naci en el 64, el es un comuniston,pero un atleta excepcional, que en ese momento creyo en la revolucion,como muchos creimos, aplaudo a ese Juantorenas, no el de ahora. Bravo, adelante! yo me emocione, Cuba se emociono...no lo olvido.
abelardorgr 2 years ago
energy packed race.
johnsmarkland 2 years ago
when did they start running in lanes for the first 300m and when did they stop, cause the 72 and 80 olympics are only 100m in lanes
mrcatohead 2 years ago
i can't front run, i always get in front then slow down without notice so i usually sit in 2nd or 3rd then kick with 250m left
wolfdog45 2 years ago 2
Me acuerdo como si fuera hoy.El locutor decia "juantorena con el corazon....juantorena con el corazon....y se le fue la voz de la emocion.
Realmente fue emocionante.
casinero55 2 years ago
I don't know how these guys run so fast. I have run 1.53 and 3.51 1500m and that's hard. I have no speed. I have only run 52 for 400m
bootymanager 2 years ago
ur pr's don't match up
LordCarringtan 2 years ago
Yeah? Well what do you run, smart guy?
bootymanager 2 years ago
50 152 411
converts to 356ish
ur 1500 time overlaps everything else tremendously. u don't agree?
LordCarringtan 2 years ago
if it comes to a sprint between you and Juantorena then that block of muscle will win
wolfdog45 3 years ago 15
@wolfdog45 that loooonnnngggg stride...man he was a beautiful runner
JoeyPencils 9 months ago
John Walker wins the 1976 Olympic 1500 meters
B）
shichengfei 3 years ago 11
i don't think we'll ever see any1 pull off this double again. 2 have the kind've speed 2 win an international men's 400 coupled with the strength, determination & heady race tactics needed 2 win an international 800? juantorena was 1 of a kind.
htownhomie06 3 years ago
Remember, that is the year when the African countries boycotted due to New Zealand's involvement with South Africa in sports despite the ban bacause of apartheid.
hlathiboy 3 years ago
Looking back at this, it's no mystery he was also nicknamed the horse. That guy is big.
billcottles 3 years ago
He was a basketball player turned into a runner. His stride is magnificent
wysiwyg248 3 years ago
Corre Juantorena
latinanovelera 3 years ago
this was the only time when runners had to run 300m before breaking - stupid! It favoured the winner as he was a 400m runner - lane 8 was a killer and Ovett got that one
united990121 3 years ago
The lanes are given according to the performances in the heats. Ovett must have perfomed poorly in the heats.
HeshimaJameni 3 years ago
Hi Heshima - sorry I'm a bit late in answering. Actually Ovett was 3rd in his semi so there is no reason why he should have got the worst lane.
united990121 3 years ago
Brilliant Juantorena!!!!
nurvrax 3 years ago
did they run it longer then wow. and who was that american.
newromantic888 4 years ago
Rick Wolhuter? Tasty, but no Jim Ryun nor even a Pre. He knew he was chasing silver! I think the saying about good Big'uns always beating good little'uns applies here!
kiplinggroove 4 years ago
well do we run it an 800m race with awarm up or is it race over 1500m. its a joke whatu sore.
newromantic888 4 years ago
He looks so amazingly relaxed throughout. It seem almost effortless. I doubt Boit would have had a look in.
j0wled 4 years ago
One man can do that now 400 & 800 "warner"
willbaylor 4 years ago
No 400m runner I know of has the heart to attempt an 800....Or they would have attempted it. Not even the great Michael Johnson.
saladin400800 3 years ago
@saladin400800 Have you ever heard of a German athlete called Rudolf Harbig? In 1939 - just before the outbreak of World War 2 - he held the world records for the 400 metres and 800 metres, simultaneously. If The Olympic Games had been held in 1940, he may well have won the elusive 400/800 double at the highest level - and thus preceded Alberto Juantorena by 36 years.
I firmly believe that the time will come when another man achieves what the big, heavily muscled Cuban athlete achieved
TheEctomorph 4 months ago
@saladin400800 [Continuing on from my previous 'post' about athletes who were world-class at 400 metres and 800 metres, simulataneously]: at the Montreal Olympic Games, back in '76. I just hope that I am around to see it!
TheEctomorph 4 months ago
the white doper!
garicmidknight 4 years ago
Don't be foolish. If he was, they most certainly at that time all were !
saladin400800 3 years ago
I guess I am a tad younger, but I don't recall 2-turn staggers in lanes before hitting the inside! Duh, on my part!
scatman44 4 years ago
they just somtimes did that in the old days, just rarer
racketer 4 years ago
Yup, they did - mad too - just to stop the fighting off the first bend. Not a great idea & dropped like a hot potato immediately sfter!
kiplinggroove 4 years ago
They ran them that way when I was in high school in Washington state in the 80's, and I think they still did it for years after. Not sure if they still do it now. I didn't like it, but I was more of a 1600 & 3200 runner so I didn't have to do it too often.
MadSlantedPowers 3 years ago
"the little American"
raiders1967 4 years ago
Superb Talent, Juantorena would give anyone fits in any era
nurvrax 4 years ago
Alberto Juantorena, CUB 1:43.50 WR
Ivo van Damme, BEL 1:43.9
Richard Wohlhuter, USA 1:44.1
Freedomdave 4 years ago
Alberto Juantorena, CUB 1:43.50 WR
Ivo van Damme, BEL 1:43.9
Richard Wohlhuter, USA 1:44.1
Freedomdave 4 years ago
No one had a chance in this. They'd have to outkick the 400 meter champ. No dice
Freedomdave 4 years ago
Dave Wottle would have beaten him.
Vamoalla 4 years ago
Errr, I don't think so! Even with his hat on backwards!
kiplinggroove 4 years ago
Brilliant Observation by Nicopsico--Stupid statement based on semantics. Yeah--let's take a "lesson" from a Spaniard about Respect-
hahahh!
poitrenaud 4 years ago
To win in a world record time in the charged atmosphere of the Olynpics is simply stunning .
Rogere76 4 years ago
how can the reporter say american second??? America is a continent!! Juan Torena is also American he is from america country.. why you do not respect the others americans....!!!
nicopsico 4 years ago
Juantorena was a great athlete, but his jingoistic rants hailing the Cuban regime are usually pathetic.
zim83 4 years ago
Juantorena = dope dope dope
jonnybravo8 4 years ago
Oh, of course. But if an athlete from *your* country had produced this performance - there'd be not a mention of doping from you. You know it.
j0wled 4 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
It's funny really, if you check the wikipedia list for sportspeople caught doping [English language], the very first name on the list is a Norwegian!
I'm not saying you're all cheats, obviously, it's just a coincidence, but I presume you don't come across as this naive in your native language.
j0wled 3 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
....then include the whole field ! Not just him !
saladin400800 3 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
What I said is : "Include most track athletes of the same crime". As you know, he's not the only athlete cheating. And I do not support drugs in athletics...Never have, and never will ! But judged against other drugged athletes -that is if Juantorena was using drugs- his feat was remarkable. I believe the 400 & 800 are the most grueling events there is in the sprints (yes, the 800 is a long sprint).
saladin400800 3 years ago
Comment removed
jonnybravo8 3 years ago
Just for the record, I am a 48 year-old 400-800 runner, and still compete on the masters level. I own the world record in my age-group (45-49)at 1:54.18 since 05'. It stood for oner 15 yrs ! I also have the 3rd fastest time ever in the 400m in my age-group at 50.24. The world record is 50.20. So I literally know what it feels like to run these two events, no-less double in them. Good talking with you.
saladin400800 3 years ago
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jonnybravo8 3 years ago
Pardon me "SIR", but arent you too old to be using a computer. Dont you need to be taking viagra somewhere else or something.psh, geezer...
mamowolde 2 years ago
thats nothing my 75 year old grandfather is faster than you
Shane444888 2 years ago
I doubt that.
saladin400800 2 years ago 2
@saladin400800 well done sir!
john022560 1 year ago
a fantastic win by Alberto !!!
PJ4118 4 years ago
un genio
pulgacuantica 4 years ago
cuba siempre tiene campiones,tremendo corredor ,gracias por este video.
BELLOTICA 4 years ago
RIP Ivo Van Damme
6st1 5 years ago
"The little American" lol.
euler76 5 years ago
Juantorena es uno de los grandes de todos los tiempos, el hombre que convirtió en velocidad el medio fondo. Gracias por colgar este video.
pachoalonso 5 years ago