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Sebastian Coe’s status as Olympic hero is doubly assured. His unrivalled back to back gold medals in the blue riband 1500 metres always meant that he came high on any list of Olympic achievement. And when he masterminded the recent victory of the London 2012 bid, any debate was dispelled. Yet 25 years ago today, Coe was on the verge of Olympic oblivion.
Not only had the World record holder in the 800 metres been beaten at the Moscow Olympics by his great domestic rival Steve Ovett, but Coe had been made to look a novice, and on his own admission was in danger of being, “put in a box historically”. The biggest shock of his young life happened a quarter of century ago, July 26, 1980.
Coe, the darling of the media, and Ovett, who wouldn’t even talk to the press, stood head and shoulders above everyone else in the world at both 800 and 1500 metres ...
Steve Ovett and Seb Coe – The Record Breaking Rivalry