1980 Olympic Men's 800m final - Sebastian Coe vs. Steve Ovett

First of two eagerly anticipated meetings between Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett in Moscow.

GOLD - Steve Ovett (GBR), 1:45.40
SILVER - Sebastian Coe (GBR), 1:45.85
BRONZE - Nikolai Kirov (URS), 1:45.94

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[martynhanson]

Hey daddycornflakes Ovett was extremely fit in 84 but he was ill. I assume you meant that. In fact, Ovett was in probably one of the sharpest of his career. He even ran 1-44-8 as a sick man in the 800m. I actually think that his performance at those games is one of the greatest by a Brit I have ever seen. However, if you think sport is all about the 'power & the glory' & somebody with one finger in the air after winning gold and saying 'I'm no 1', then you won't agree me me in any way

[Steve Richards]

Ovett's kick was as good as Coe's especially in 1980.

[seanofafrica]

No, Jimmy, the opposite. In Prague (European 800m champs 1978 - it's on YouTube) Coe went from the gun, leading through the first 400m in sub-50secs. He was still only young (hadn't broke 1.44 yet) and 'died' the last 80m (still 1.44.8 mind), with Ovett (2nd 1.44.1) and Beyer (1st 1.43.8 - against the world record of 1.43.4) passing him. After that I surmised he determined not to lead again, which I feel he should have, but just not run as fast from the off.

[James Brennan]

What happened in Prague? Did Coe do a Borzakovskhiy and win from the back? Do you think he believed he could do that again?

[daddykornflakes]

I say competitive, because in the 1984 Olympics Ovett wasn't fit and even retired during the 1500 final.

[daddykornflakes]

Agree, just a pity there was only ever 3 competitive races between them.

[stalkek]

Terrible race by Coe