Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett were two great British middle-distance runners whose personal duel in the 800m and 1500m was one of the highlights of the boycott-hit 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Coe arrived in Moscow the world record holder in the men’s 800m, men’s 100m and men’s 1500m, although Ovett was widely regarded as a favorite in the 1500m, his pet race where he was unbeaten in over three years. In a pair of surprising results, Ovett beat out Coe for the gold in the 800m, considered Coe’s specialty, while Coe claimed the gold in the 1500m. Later, Coe attributed his disappointing silver medal finish in the 800m to running “the worst race of my life”.
Coe arrived in Moscow the world record holder in the men’s 800m, men’s 100m and men’s 1500m, although Ovett was widely regarded as a favorite in the 1500m, his pet race where he was unbeaten in over three years. In a pair of surprising results, Ovett beat out Coe for the gold in the 800m, considered Coe’s specialty, while Coe claimed the gold in the 1500m. Later, Coe attributed his disappointing silver medal finish in the 800m to running “the worst race of my life”.
Coe repeated his medal haul in the Los Angeles Games, becoming the first, and so far only, runner to win consecutive golds in the men’s 1500m. He later launched a political career, and spearheaded London’s bid to host the 2012 Games. Today he is the Chairman of the London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games. Ovett was less fortunate in the ’84 games, as he suffered from bronchitis and failed to finish at the podium in any of his events. Today he serves as a TV commentator for track and field events.
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