10,000 Metres Final,1968 Olympic Games,Mexico City.

Commonwealth champion Kenyan Naftali Temu outsprints Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia (who went on to win the marathon)down the home straight. with Mohammed Gammoudi (the 5,000 metre champion) getting the bronze. Have a thought for the great Ron Clarke who trailed in sixth and collapsed,desperately trying for an Olympic gold at high altitude.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Temu
• Gammoudi
• Wolde
• Ron Clarke
• 10000 metres
• 1968 Olympic Games
• Mexico City
• Naftali Temu
• Mamo |Wolde
• Mohammed Gammoudi
• Ethiopia
• Kenya

[betokkikke]

My favourite Mohammed Gammoudi finished third!

[ARRISIPPY]

@betokkikke You're right...Gammoudi was one of the first great African distance runners and doesn't get his due credit

[stevelafler]

I sincerely doubt that Ron Clarke's bypass surgery was caused by this race. What a load of crap. Ron Clarke went on to compete at world class level for 2 more years after this. Yes it was grossly unfair to hold the Olympics at 7000 + feet of altitude, and Ron Clarke is one of the best distance men ever and one of my idols, but typically a high fat diet over many years causes heart disease.

[kipkenya]

Naftali Temu gave Kenya it's first Olympic gold medal. He will forever be remembered as the origina,l who inspired generations of great runners to follow in his footsteps. For those who doubt his ability, don't forget, he cleaned up everyone two years earlier in Kingston, Jamaica. God bless Naftali.

[StuC5]

@hwyfan Thirty or so years later Ron required a heart triple bypass operation, which was said to be a direct result of what the altitude did to him that day. He was actually near death immediately after that race, requiring oxygen and medical attention. That he rebounded so well to compete in the 5000m days later was testament to his courage and condition. The IOC can be grateful that their incompetence and gullibility in awarding the games to that place did not have worse consequences.

[hwyfan]

This is the race where Ron Clarke literally passed out from the effects of high altitude on the last lap and collapsed after crossing the finish line.

[vitoduval]

I saw the 2000 10000 m final, same kind kind of finish but an Ethiopian beat the Kenyan, start of a great rivalry.