Seb Coe 1981 European Cup 800m final

Another superb demonstration by the then world record holder, Seb Coe, in his greatest season, 1981.
The European Cup used to be held at the end of every other season, and represented a much more important competition that the current European Team competition held at the beginning of each season.
In July 1981 Coe ran in the Europa Cup semi final competition in Helsinki over 800m to help guarantee the British team a place in the final, held in August in Zagreb. Both races were relatively slow and tactical, but in each Coe displayed finishing kicks of unrivaled power. In Helsinki he won in 1:47.57 with a last 200m of 24.5 and the fastest last 100m ever recorded in an international 800m race, 11.3!
The final here was won in 1:47.02, with a last 200m of 24.6 and a last 100m of 11.9. The manner of his victory over the 78 European Champion Beyer, and the future 1983 World Champion Wullbeck, was decisive, and put him in good stead for his first Mile world record of the season, 3 days later in Zurich.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Seb Coe
• Sebastian Coe
• 1981
• 800m
• world record holder
• European Cup
• Zagreb
• olympics

[ollie705]

Probably not seen this one since 1981..thanks Deano. Which Briton was beaten by Beyer in the 1500m?

[deano27671]

@ollie705 Cram came 3rd behind Beyer and Kirov. Ovett decided not to run for Britain, which caused a bit of controversy at the time. He didn't run the European Cup in 79 either.

[deano27671]

@ollie705 I've got the 1500m as well. Will download it in the future if you want?

[fitzieo1]

@deano27671 Yes upload the 1500m from the same meet be good to see that, do you have by any chance Steve Ovetts' 1974 Euro silver medal run.never seen that one either.

[deano27671]

@fitzieo1 Will do when I get another work free week evening. I've only got a clip of the last 200m of the 74 European 800, and it's mainly of Susanj, who won by a mile. I can download it sometime if you want?

[deano27671]

@fitzieo1 Have just downloaded the last 200m of the European 800 final from 1974. Unfortunately I only have the last segment of the race, although it is pretty good quality and an impressive finishing kick by Susanj.

[Benboswell57]

unreal... when his teeth come out it's over.