Steve Ovett - World Cup 1500m 1981.

In one of his very best seasons, 1981, Ovett ran a masterful tactical race for Europe to win the 1500m in the World Cup in Rome. Here, he outkicks Walker, Beyer, Boit, Maree & Kirov, with a last lap of 53.6. He looks very easy for the entire last lap and only really turned it on with about 150m to go.
The day before Coe had easily won the 800m at the same meet, and this represented the last time that both were at the top of their game at the same time. Both suffered with injury and illness during the next 2 seasons, and their air of invincibility was tarnished somewhat.
As a matter of interest, the World Cup was considered the pre-cursor to the World Championships, which began 2 seasons later in 1983. The quality in depth of athletes attending this 2 day meet in Rome was probably greater than in either the Moscow or Los Angeles Olympics. There was Lewis, Moses, Coe, Ovett, Ashford, Gohr, Koch, Kratochvilova, etc,... all there. I think that the winners at this World Cup were, to all intents and purposes, the first World Champions.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Steve Ovett
• 1500m
• World Cup
• 1981
• Mike Boit
• Rome
• Walker
• athletics
• Coe

[WithBACON]

Was Maree the Webb of his day? Massive talent, ZERO consistency?

[deano27671]

@WithBACON Yes I think he was. He finished 5th here, but 4 days later he beat Ovett over a Mile in Rieti and ran 3:48.83!, which made him 3rd on the all-time list at the time. He would come nowhere one week and break a WR the next! As he did in 83, when he held the 1500m WR at 3:31.24 for a few weeks before Ovett recaptured it with 3:30.77 in Rieti. I always found his "yo-yo" form very strange. It wasn't from one year to the next, but rather one week to the next.

[ARRISIPPY]

Another great upload,and yet another I've not seen in 30 years. Bloody hell..did I say 30 years? Not possible. And, as always,he made it look easy. Looking forward to the 800! Thanks again

[deano27671]

@ARRISIPPY I downloaded Coe's 81 European Cup win last night. I'll do the World Cup 800 soon. :0)

[201081hero]

Oh Steve why did you have to run into those railings at the end of '81?!

[timtak1]

He had hair too.

[fitzieo1]

Great upload, I don't think i have ever seen this, and yes I do agree this should be classed as a world championship gold.

[markgregamy]

@deano27671

yes you make good point, off a slow 5k or 10k pace probably easier to inject 53 last lap,, yifter also did that i seem to recall. and for sure bekele famous for fast last lap off a slower 5 or 10k pace , lets not forget how easily hicham el geruj beat bekele in athens 5km, milers clearly have faster 400 . sorry for spelling our current world mile record holders name wrong, not sure anyone will come close to 3.43 for years in the mile.

[deano27671]

@markgregamy Yes, that scenario would be perfect wouldn't it!

I think Mo's last 400 in the 5 & 10 k were 53 something, which is about what Coe & Ovett produced. The difference being that I think Mo is pretty much flat out for the whole lap, whereas Coe & Ovett at their best always seemed to have more in reserve & could have run 52 or even 51 if needed. I also think it's easier to run a 53 at the end of a 13:10 5000 or 27:30 10000 for the top guys, than it is to run a 53 at the end of a 3:32-3:34