I remember this race in 72, i was 11 yrs old and my father called me in the house to watch and root for the american with the hat. Ill never forget me and my dad yelling for this guy to start his kick and man what a kick it was. Its been 40 some yrs ago, dads gone and when i watch this video i brings me back. thanks dave.
Great story! Same age here and same memories but with our mother. I live in same town as his college alma mater and I bought an estate sale scrapbook which was full of clippings on Dave. Great to read through them.
I was 9 and remember watching this with my whole family. We were all screaming when he started catching up and when he won we lost our minds! Good times!
"It still amazes me how important 1 minute, 45.9 seconds was to me. It was a fleeting moment in time, but it was the culmination of a lot of years of practice and preparation and perseverance and it’s affected every day of my life since.” - Dave Wottle, April 2019
Dave, I just watched this race again for the umteenth time, and you still bring tears to my eyes with joy, pride, and awe. Wow. I was, still am, and always will be so proud of you. Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Thank you for not giving up, when the race seemingly was lost. God bless you and your family. ---from a 69-year-old ex-distance runner for whom you are inspiring me to power-walk again.
It's fun having you weigh in on this video. For whatever reason I watch this at least once a year when I need some cheering up. Thanks for your great race - similar to your win in the trials in Eugene in coming from beind. I remember you saying in an interview that it wasn't your plan to start that far off the pace, but you ,really, didn't feel that good when you started.
I was 15 when I saw this race run. Three years later, I entered Dave Wottle’s alma mater, Bowling Green State University. I have been running with a cap on for nearly fifty years, and sometimes I still think of Wottle when I put a cap on before a run.
..well..I watch it every 1/2 hour..with 'Thus Sprach Zarathrusta and The Hall of the Mountain King' being gloriously played by the Portsmouth Sinfonia simultaneously....good, good fun all over...
its one of my favorite olympic moments. its right up there with Billy Mills! Dave Wottle called his wife before the race and told her he wasnt up to the race. didnt feel he could compete and his wife convinced him to go ahead and do it. He ran the race of his life!!! absolutely awesome.
The Billy Mills race was even more dramatic. It was a much longer race, Mills was not expected to even be on the podium, and finished off with one of the great kicks in Track and Field history. His winning time was almost 50 seconds faster than he had ever run before. On a side note, the expert annalyst that was calling the race for American TV, Dick Bank was freaking out as he saw Mills come burning down the final stretch of the race, which was considered highly unprofessional for the day, and he got fired. Adding excitement to races today by getting excited as a commentator is exactly how its done today.
I'm Black and grew up watching Dave Waddle.He was my favorite track & field athlete of al time! I around 8 years old when I used to enjoy watching his kick.I'm now 59 and had to go down memory lane and watch his amazing race again for old time sake!
If you run track you understand. Sprinters are over 95 % black. Fact. Middle distance is going to be 80 % white or other. Not black. A mile guy ? Almost 90 % white. The op is simply saying that he looked up to a person who didn’t look like him , likely because he was an 800m runner , and there was no black 800 guy to look up to. ( save the Kenyans ). It’s not a racist thing to point out. It’s just facts. Every once in a blue moon you’ll have a white sprinter that’s fast. I was one of in the 90s I ran sub 49 400m. And let me tell you. I was the only white kid in any race above the local level. I was fast. But I was really a tiny minority.
I still get chills everytime I watch this! It has to be my favorite olympic moment of all time. I remember watching it live when I was 14 and jumping around the living room like a maniac when he won. Jim McKay's call was perfect.
I grew up in England watching the Coe/Ovett feud, and it was the 1980 Olympics that informed my view on middle distance running. I had no idea who Dave Wottle was. This is the first time I've seen this race and it's by far the most amazing victory I've ever seen in 800 metres. Imagine how exciting it must have been to have seen it live.
I'm a 67 year old Australian and I still watch this at least once a year, just for the sheer thrill of watching a man overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Aussies have dome it, and I am so proud of them, but this is a moment to never forget.
I remember he mistakenly left his hat on during the playing of The National Anthem and said later "I felt totally sick about that." You got your country a Gold Medal, you were totally forgiven.
Never forget it. I was 11 years old in front of a black and white TV with my two brothers. We picked the 'guy with the hat' who was at the back in 8th place or something....and we shouted at the telly. He began to move through and we started to go ballistic. By the finish we were exploding. It was fantastic. Brings tears to my eyes. Yes : 'Wottle with the Throttle' . THANK YOU for posting. Aw shit : it's killing me actually !
I was 9 years old that summer and watched this on television. Jim McKay's call of "stand by for the kick of Dave Wottle" has been etched in my memory for over 45 years now. One of the few really memorable moments at an Olympics touched by controversy, and then tragedy.
He gave an inspirational speech at my Memphis high school in the mid 80s. They showed the video in the auditorium, and I remember everyone laughing when they saw how far back he was in the first lap. Watching this race inspired me to run on our cross country and track teams. I'd put this up there with the miracle on ice, as a great moment among US olympian performances!
This was for me the greatest moment in Olympic history, until Ms. Sarah Hughes surpassed it 30 years later in 2002. I've never been happier for an athlete than I was for her. But I can still remember at 9 years old going out and practicing the 'Wottle Kick' running the streets in my neighborhood. I also remember being sad, thinking there's no way he can pull it off from that far back. Mark Spitz and Olga Korbut were also that year. The history and the memories are quite special.
I watched this, live, on my honeymoon in a New Orleans hotel. Having run track and cross country in middle and high school, I as just thrilled to see Wottle come from so far behind . My nomination for the most exciting middle distance race of all time.
@@donshields2379 Well, in English, words mean things. So a "Russian" is a person from "Russia" and "Ukrainian" is a person from "Ukraine." The USSR and things within it was not "Russian" except in (1) synecdoche, and (2) the times in which a Russian thing or person would obviously be Soviet. This is neither thing. You might say at the end of the Olympics and having forgotten the runners' nationalities that the "Russians" won 18 medals or whatever, but you would not call this runner a Russian even though he contributed to the (synechdote) "Russian" medal haul. Similar things can happen when, for example, a Norwegian (with a descendant from Nigeria and who competes for Nigeria) wins the gold medal. You would say that the Norwegian won the gold for Nigeria.
Grant Land, Yes indeed. For us, Hungarians this race was special. Arzsanov won all of his races since 1971, he was representing the perfect Soviet Athlete. Strong, determined and successful. We were very happy he lost to David Wottle, just like we were very happy when Bobby Fisher won against Boris Spaskiy a few month before the Munich Olympics.
I've watched this race a million times and I never tire. Wottle's kick was matched by Cole Hocker, yesterday, and it looks like I now have two favorite Olympic races to watch! Watch Dave stroll past his fellow competitors with nary a handshake or congratulatory pat on the back...They're, all, in shock! lol "Where in the world did this guy in the painter's cap come from? Who the hell is he?" Dave ran a brilliant race...all the way to immortality! Jim McKay called an unforgettable race, too! "...And, HERE HE COMEZZZZ...!!!
YouJuggle. You must be Julie’s son. Met you at your parents 50th Anniversary as I was the video guy. Good pals with Nick Nicolas. You’re a fabulous juggler.
The 🇺🇸 and USSR were not on best terms. It was great to see him rip the ❤ out if that commi. 1972 was not the year for political correctness. Remember the the Israeli hostages. R.I.P.
@@mikeyoung9810 Jim McKay was a class act on so many levels. Whenever he announced Wide World of Sports he never thought less of any events or made fun of it, brought a genuine enthusiasm to any event he announced.
The Olympics officially banned hats like that after the race as if that somehow helped him. If anything, it was additional drag. But maybe there were hidden stats in there after all.
I watched this live on TV in 1972 while my parents were watching in the stands! I even recorded it with my Craig tape recorder (I still have the tape). Watching the closing kick again, it's unbelievable how he could have done it. This race is one of the reasons I ended up becoming a runner. I had the pleasure of running beside Dave at a running camp about three years later.
I've watched this a million times and it never fails that just before they get to the bell lap I start thinking that I'm finally going to wake up and Wottle will come up short because it always looks like he's left too much to do. What an amazing performance!!!
I am 75 and I'll never forget this race or Billy Mills' beating world record holder Ron Clark in the 10K in Tokyo 1964. 2 incredible and thrilling finishes. Then there was Franz Klammer winning the downhill in the 1976 Winter Olympics. I am still blown away by those 3 races.
@markmuch1295 I watched them all. Eric Heidens skating sweep, the great distance runners in the 70's. But Klammer and Mills gotta be top 10. My man, you were lucky enough to remember way back to the Mexico Olympics, with Bob Beamons long jump. We started watching in 1972. There'll be many special moments in Paris starring today .
This was one of the most strategically intelligent races ever run. Wottle was magical and his feat will never be forgotten. By the way, he was so focused that he forgot to remove his cap during the playing of the anthem at the awards ceremony. Even his mother asked him if he was "protesting" something. It was only then that he noticed he was still wearing his cap. Hehehehee.
@@andrewheath5948 right, I've listened to his interview of the race...he was just trying to not embarrass himself by catching the pack...then he kept picking people off as he made his way through the pack. But boy was he a smooth runner.
I was 13 when this happened, a budding runner and I discovered Wottle at the Olympic Trials. It is a race I will never forget and watching replays never grow old.
I watched this when I was 10 years old. This is one of my favorite memories of my dad. Dave Wottle and his golf cap. He always bided his time, then put on a kick with a 200 meters to go that no one could believe. And the most humble of winners, congratulating everyone that raced. Thank you Dave, for showing us all how to win.
I have watched this about 20 times in the past year and have yet to tire of it. Great commentary, almost as exhilarating as Chic Anderson’s call of the historic ‘73 Belmont Stakes when Secretariat won by 31 lengths and became the first triple crown winner in 25 years.
Still amazes me. Met Dave when he was a college admissions counselor and he sat with us at the Cross Country table in high school when he visited my school. We were all awestruck and could barely speak. A super nice guy. I was the rabbit on our team, I could have learned a lot about strategy from him. Only took me 40 years to understand.
I remember watching this when I was 14 years old. When he fell so far back and was still in last place at the start of the bell lap, I didn't think he had a chance.
I remember seeing this race at a TV shop. I was 11 years old. My Dad was getting our Zenith TV fixed and we were standing around watching this race after the TV repairman had just finished fixing the TV. Great timing. I could not believe he came from the back of the pack and beat everyone at the end. We were all dumbfounded and were shocked at what we had just seen. Just an amazing race.
Me too. It was on the first night of the track and field program. I had no expectations at all for this race, never even heard of Wottle .. and then "Wow, did that really happen?"
I remember as a high school cross-country runner trying to sprint with the rabbits in a race and ending up unable to finish without walking at the end. So I decided to try going nice and easy at first, but make sure I ran all the way. First race I did this was a big regional meet with something like 500 runners. I was dead last when we went off the track and into the woods, but I kept passing people. At the end I was 25th out of 500. Dave Wottle was my idol and inspiration.
Patrick Curley I can relate to that! I was just starting high school when the '72 Olympics took place. I was not a good sprinter (couldn't even get under 60 seconds in the quarter mile), but by following Wottle's tactics I could place pretty high in cross country (2 mile course).
I am a 56 y.o.Italian former long distance runner.In my not brilliant runner carreer I always tried to start slow and to finish as fast I could.This way to run a competition always pay ,in my opinion.
I was 5 years old in 72. What I remember very well is sitting on my dads lap and watching him go absolutely crazy screaming to the top of his lungs when Wottle stretched his body over the finish line to beat the Soviet runner. I saw this again with my dear old dad 8 years later when the US beat the Soviet Union in ice hockey in 1980!!!!!!
So close Jim KcKay had to say, "I think he did it!" I watched it live and wasn't sure until I saw the replay. Still the greatest finish I have ever seen. They show it to young high school runners nearly half a century later.
As a former athlete, this is so awesome! I was born in 1971 so I have only just seen this race now for the 1st time. This is a great example of remaining cool under pressure. Dave Wottle ran his own race and didn't get sucked in to sticking with the other runners in a quick 1st lap. He timed it to perfection and was never rattled. This is a beautiful race to watch and should be shown to all athletes , especially to all racers in track, swimming riding pushbikes ect. Great stuff!. thank you for posting this race. John.
@@Finarphin Nope, that's Jim McKay and Marty Liquori, the same two guys who were on the telecast in real time. I remember this Olympics better than any other. It was the first one that I saw and had so much drama in the events and tragedy at the grounds.
@@obbor4 Yes, I know it's Jim McKay and Marty Liquori, and I also remember watching this in 1972, on US tv in its "first run." But the network ran their coverage as a package, and so they did at least some editing on it, not as foreign tv usually does, which often really is live; for instance as Swedish tv broadcast the 1980 events. Jim McKay and who was it, Bob Beattie (former skiing coach) did the commentary for the downhill in I think it was 1976, as if it were live, but actually was recorded after the fact. Maybe this particular race was actually the way they called it, as it happened, but maybe it wasn't. McKay had a lot of experience putting together sporting events as an entertainment package, dating back to at least 1960 (Rome). How can you be so sure?
OMG, I remember watching this on TV like it was yesterday. I was screaming at the TV set and could not believe Wottle pulled it off! Such a cool recollection!
Commentator called 400m at 52.3. Wottle wasn't three seconds off the pace at the bell. I made 600m in 79 seconds for Wottle with a 26.8 or so last 200m. Hardly a kick. Perfect pace judgement.
My Family and I had recently moved to the small city of Bowling Green, Ohio home of Bowling Green State University. We begin to notice the young many, perhaps a BGSU students running all over the city of approximately 25,000 plus about 18,000 BGSU students. Yes, you would see Dave Wottle ruining all of the time. Yes, he was always running at a pretty fast past. Well, then when we watched him win the Gold Metal, words were just impossible to express the joy for one David Wottle who worked and trained so hard can 100 percent dedicated to doing his best and he would hope to do well. nothing better than the Gold Metal, Now may I add this, there was another young many in Bowling Green and a BGSU student. You would always find him on the ice and Hockey at BGSU. It was truly amazing how dedicated and committed he was to making himself to be the very best, His name, Scotty Hamilton, another Gold Metal winner from a fine university and a small town in Northwestern Ohio. My wife and I were blessed with three sons and a daughter. There is absolutely no doubt in my thinking that both David Wottle and Scott Hamilton inspired our sons and daughter to always work hard, never say never, and dream big. Yes, an experience in our journey of life that was incredible. Harold "Puck" Rowe now 86 9/18/22.living in Findlay, Ohio Lost my dear wife to Alzheimer's eight years ago.
I remember this race well. I was just a boy, but my father made clear that Dave Wottle demonstrated the highest degree of self-discipline by maintaining his pace (26 seconds per 200) from start to finish. When the others faltered, Dave rose to greatness.
I remember watching this on TV as it happened when I was only 11 years old. I was thrilled! What was even more amazing is that the exact same thing happened in the semi-finals ...In that race, Woddle was hopelessly behind, and we thought he would certainly finish last. But he eventually caught up, then sprinted down the stretch and pulled out first place by the bill of his golf cap! So I knew he would attempt the same thing in this race, but he seemed too far behind the Russian to catch him. Somehow he did! it was like watching lightning strike twice! To this day, watching Woddle come back & win remains one of the most exciting track & field events I've ever seen!
Agreed!!!! I too saw this race & I was like who's the guy with the hat???? Oh ok that's who he is!!!!! Proud American moment!! Salute Mr. Dave Wottle 🇱🇷
Get your ass off TH-cam and figure out how to beat this Virus, Id really like to go back to work before I empty my savings or drink the coolaide and go die in my hammock.
Yes you are right, this was and still is thr greatest track race in the 126 years of modern Olympic history, Thank you Dave Wottle for doing the impossible and the mighty inspiration you are to all generations of humanity, God bless Dave. with love and admiration from Kerala India
People act like this was some emotional comeback. It couldn't be further from the truth! The fact is, David Wottle is a machine. He got exactly the same time for every 200 meters. Perfect distribution of energy.
I remember watching this race with my dad in 1972. We watched a lot of sports together. With about 200 yards to go, dad said "here comes the golf hat" meaning Wottle was coming. Cancer took my dad in 1980, but it didn't take the memories.
I am a BG Falcon from back then, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I still think this is not only the greatest foot race ever filmed, but the most thrilling exhibition of athletics that I've ever seen, and I've been around sports a long time. The incomparable Jim McKay makes it even a few notches better.
GO FALCONS! I still think of Dave Wottle when I don a cap before going out for a jog. I watched this race live when I was 15, and would follow Wottle to Bowling Green State University three years later. Thanks for reviving this amazing memory and a tribute to one of my alma maters’ legendary graduates.
I remember this race in 72, i was 11 yrs old and my father called me in the house to watch and root for the american with the hat. Ill never forget me and my dad yelling for this guy to start his kick and man what a kick it was. Its been 40 some yrs ago, dads gone and when i watch this video i brings me back. thanks dave.
Yeah, I was 14 and saw this live on TV. Still remember Curt Gowdy saying: "Watch for the kick of Dave Wottle!"
Great story! Same age here and same memories but with our mother. I live in same town as his college alma mater and I bought an estate sale scrapbook which was full of clippings on Dave. Great to read through them.
I was 9 and remember watching this with my whole family. We were all screaming when he started catching up and when he won we lost our minds! Good times!
Truly awesome brother. Such an epic and you watched live! ♥️
@@academyofshem The lead announcer on the 800m final in 1972 actually was Jim McKay, with Marty Liquori as the color commentator.
"It still amazes me how important 1 minute, 45.9 seconds was to me. It was a fleeting moment in time, but it was the culmination of a lot of years of practice and preparation and perseverance and it’s affected every day of my life since.”
- Dave Wottle, April 2019
One of the greatest displays of effort and determination ever! Thank you Dave Wottle! He made us all proud to be Americans
'They said he should he shouldn't have gotten married..... he came up with two bad knees'- classic.
@@tommulvihill6814 and
Dave, I just watched this race again for the umteenth time, and you still bring tears to my eyes with joy, pride, and awe. Wow. I was, still am, and always will be so proud of you. Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Thank you for not giving up, when the race seemingly was lost. God bless you and your family. ---from a 69-year-old ex-distance runner for whom you are inspiring me to power-walk again.
It's fun having you weigh in on this video. For whatever reason I watch this at least once a year when I need some cheering up. Thanks for your great race - similar to your win in the trials in Eugene in coming from beind. I remember you saying in an interview that it wasn't your plan to start that far off the pace, but you ,really, didn't feel that good when you started.
At 12 years old, this race totally blew my mind. Now 49 years later, it's still unbelievable what "the guy with the cap" did.
Same age here. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. What an inspiration Dave gave to so many with this run. This race is legend.
Still my favorite summer games moment. Right up there with Mark Spitz
I was 15 when I saw this race run. Three years later, I entered Dave Wottle’s alma mater, Bowling Green State University. I have been running with a cap on for nearly fifty years, and sometimes I still think of Wottle when I put a cap on before a run.
This race made me a fan of the Olympics.
I was 11, and I remember watching this and thinking how great it was.
I could watch this every day.
I do
..well..I watch it every 1/2 hour..with 'Thus Sprach Zarathrusta and The Hall of the Mountain King' being gloriously played by the Portsmouth Sinfonia simultaneously....good, good fun all over...
Such a great race - I never get tired of watching it. Wottle ran almost exactly even splits and won - the perfect 800.
that's why he didn't compete in the 798 meters
798 and he wouldn't have medeled
Well, Senor Useless..bwahaha
😂
its one of my favorite olympic moments. its right up there with Billy Mills! Dave Wottle called his wife before the race and told her he wasnt up to the race. didnt feel he could compete and his wife convinced him to go ahead and do it. He ran the race of his life!!! absolutely awesome.
Good Thing He Got Married!!!💞💓💕
So much for having a wife being a burden...he might not have won without her encouragement and faith in him. Never knew this back story until now.
I want to thank you for mentioning Billy Mills. I’m 25 and I had never seen his race. Thank you for sharing his name and legacy.
The Billy Mills race was even more dramatic. It was a much longer race, Mills was not expected to even be on the podium, and finished off with one of the great kicks in Track and Field history. His winning time was almost 50 seconds faster than he had ever run before. On a side note, the expert annalyst that was calling the race for American TV, Dick Bank was freaking out as he saw Mills come burning down the final stretch of the race, which was considered highly unprofessional for the day, and he got fired. Adding excitement to races today by getting excited as a commentator is exactly how its done today.
You wrote “today” TWICE in the same sentence.
I'm Black and grew up watching Dave Waddle.He was my favorite track & field athlete of al time! I around 8 years old when I used to enjoy watching his kick.I'm now 59 and had to go down memory lane and watch his amazing race again for old time sake!
I'm White and grew up watching Dave Waddle.
WTF
I'm glad your black
What does your skin color have to do with it?
If you run track you understand. Sprinters are over 95 % black. Fact. Middle distance is going to be 80 % white or other. Not black. A mile guy ? Almost 90 % white. The op is simply saying that he looked up to a person who didn’t look like him , likely because he was an 800m runner , and there was no black 800 guy to look up to. ( save the Kenyans ). It’s not a racist thing to point out. It’s just facts. Every once in a blue moon you’ll have a white sprinter that’s fast. I was one of in the 90s I ran sub 49 400m. And let me tell you. I was the only white kid in any race above the local level. I was fast. But I was really a tiny minority.
I still get chills everytime I watch this! It has to be my favorite olympic moment of all time. I remember watching it live when I was 14 and jumping around the living room like a maniac when he won. Jim McKay's call was perfect.
I grew up in England watching the Coe/Ovett feud, and it was the 1980 Olympics that informed my view on middle distance running. I had no idea who Dave Wottle was. This is the first time I've seen this race and it's by far the most amazing victory I've ever seen in 800 metres. Imagine how exciting it must have been to have seen it live.
I'm a 67 year old Australian and I still watch this at least once a year, just for the sheer thrill of watching a man overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. Aussies have dome it, and I am so proud of them, but this is a moment to never forget.
I’m 65 was 13 at the time. Irishman in Ireland at that time, living in Australia nearly 40 years now lol😂, still the coolest runner ever.
50 years n Australia 😅
I remember he mistakenly left his hat on during the playing of The National Anthem and said later "I felt totally sick about that." You got your country a Gold Medal, you were totally forgiven.
Never forget it. I was 11 years old in front of a black and white TV with my two brothers. We picked the 'guy with the hat' who was at the back in 8th place or something....and we shouted at the telly. He began to move through and we started to go ballistic. By the finish we were exploding. It was fantastic. Brings tears to my eyes. Yes : 'Wottle with the Throttle' . THANK YOU for posting. Aw shit : it's killing me actually !
I was 9 years old that summer and watched this on television. Jim McKay's call of "stand by for the kick of Dave Wottle" has been etched in my memory for over 45 years now. One of the few really memorable moments at an Olympics touched by controversy, and then tragedy.
He gave an inspirational speech at my Memphis high school in the mid 80s. They showed the video in the auditorium, and I remember everyone laughing when they saw how far back he was in the first lap. Watching this race inspired me to run on our cross country and track teams. I'd put this up there with the miracle on ice, as a great moment among US olympian performances!
My brother Will was at this speech in Memphis. Tells the story every olympics
have you seen billy mills in the 1962 10,000 meter, its unbelievable the kick he had
This was for me the greatest moment in Olympic history, until Ms. Sarah Hughes surpassed it 30 years later in 2002. I've never been happier for an athlete than I was for her. But I can still remember at 9 years old going out and practicing the 'Wottle Kick' running the streets in my neighborhood. I also remember being sad, thinking there's no way he can pull it off from that far back. Mark Spitz and Olga Korbut were also that year. The history and the memories are quite special.
@@robertfeightner5354 That was 1964
Without a doubt this is one of the most phenomenal and exciting sports event ever. I cried when I saw this. Absolutely hysterical!
I watched this, live, on my honeymoon in a New Orleans hotel. Having run track and cross country in middle and high school, I as just thrilled to see Wottle come from so far behind
. My nomination for the most exciting middle distance race of all time.
Trust me, I've watched a LOT of sports since 1972, and Wottle's Kick is still one of my greatest thrills. God bless America
I was an 800 m runner in jr and high school (1968-1972). I will always remember this race of Wottle as the pinnacle of track at all of the Olympics.
Dave won this not just by using his legs....but by also using his heart, soul and spirit...a lesson in sports and in life
Tempo- Dave was maintaining speed everyone else was slowing down. The Ukrainian collapsed.
Well, he used his brain, to start with.
@@roygbiv5164 And his cap. 😊
Mainly his legs though. 😂
Today, August 7th, is Dave Wottle's birthday. Happy birthday to one of the most courageous runners ever.
To do this on the 800M was absolutely insane. Just ridiculous. Still the most amazing comeback I have ever seen.
except its not really a comeback just two even paced laps it was the others making mistakes
Check Paul Ereng's 1988 Olympic triumph in the 800M
@@deankeith830 the 800 is typically run with a faster first lap. That’s not uncommon.
Yep. I was 13 when I saw this on TV. Still the greatest race I've ever seen.
One of the greatest performances of all time. Well done dave.
Having watched this 20 times or so, I still don't think he's gonna get to the tape first.
The RUssian still watches this...hoping he will finally win.
I watched once. And I think you're 20 times wrong.
@@XX-eh2ke Not a Russian. Ukrainian with USSR.
@@AllAmericanGuyExpert isn't USSR Russian. I mean he was in a Soviet Union singlet. Did Ukraine field a team?
@@donshields2379 Well, in English, words mean things. So a "Russian" is a person from "Russia" and "Ukrainian" is a person from "Ukraine."
The USSR and things within it was not "Russian" except in (1) synecdoche, and (2) the times in which a Russian thing or person would obviously be Soviet. This is neither thing.
You might say at the end of the Olympics and having forgotten the runners' nationalities that the "Russians" won 18 medals or whatever, but you would not call this runner a Russian even though he contributed to the (synechdote) "Russian" medal haul.
Similar things can happen when, for example, a Norwegian (with a descendant from Nigeria and who competes for Nigeria) wins the gold medal. You would say that the Norwegian won the gold for Nigeria.
Dave Wottle. This was Chariots of Fire in real time. Incredible. One of the most amazing races ever run.
you are so right, Chariots of Fire is one of my all time favorite films. And Dave Wottle was unbelievable in this race.
One of the greatest races ever.
Grant Lund yea, especially when you see how much ground he had to make up in such a short distance!
Grant Land, Yes indeed. For us, Hungarians this race was special. Arzsanov won all of his races since 1971, he was representing the perfect Soviet Athlete. Strong, determined and successful.
We were very happy he lost to David Wottle, just like we were very happy when Bobby Fisher won against Boris Spaskiy a few month before the Munich Olympics.
American made baby!!! I saw this live & it still makes me proud!! BIG DAVE!!!!
The 2021 men’s 400 hurdles would like to enter the conversation.
I've watched this race a million times and I never tire. Wottle's kick was matched by Cole Hocker, yesterday, and it looks like I now have two favorite Olympic races to watch!
Watch Dave stroll past his fellow competitors with nary a handshake or congratulatory pat on the back...They're, all, in shock! lol
"Where in the world did this guy in the painter's cap come from? Who the hell is he?"
Dave ran a brilliant race...all the way to immortality! Jim McKay called an unforgettable race, too! "...And, HERE HE COMEZZZZ...!!!
Add Quincy Hall to the mix with Hocker! Two racing comebacks in Paris ‘24 that left me breathless!
I was there 16 years old, as my dad was the Olympic soccer coach. We could easily see him in his white hat go from last to first. Crowd went wild.
YouJuggle. You must be Julie’s son. Met you at your parents 50th Anniversary as I was the video guy. Good pals with Nick Nicolas. You’re a fabulous juggler.
@@UNDERGROUND2000 he never got back to you? I hope the Juggleman is doing ok.
Wow...Two bad knees, got married...Won with a Golf Cap and went passed 2 Kenyans and won the Gold......Now that is American Power at its best!!!!
I watch this video before every race I run. Nothing gets me more pumped.
The 🇺🇸 and USSR were not on best terms. It was great to see him rip the ❤ out if that commi. 1972 was not the year for political correctness. Remember the the Israeli hostages. R.I.P.
Just how eould his marriage ruin his performance
@@darrylnimmons1334 Some people believed that it would be a distraction from training.
Commentators knew how to do their job back in the day , "everyone told him not to marry his wife but it worked anyway"
@Hgyvtfygyhuh Ygihvutctvnininnin User name checks out.
That commentator was great (I should know his name) and he hosted later Olympics back when they showed entire events and not just highlights.
@Hgyvtfygyhuh Ygihvutctvnininnin it does, and he had the thumbs up to prove it. Now move along idiot.
They don't sound exited at all after ,
(what I would consider) one the greatest chases in the history of track and field.
@@mikeyoung9810 Jim McKay was a class act on so many levels. Whenever he announced Wide World of Sports he never thought less of any events or made fun of it, brought a genuine enthusiasm to any event he announced.
White hat (endurance +3)
+Optimus6128 wow in cbuz 3/19
lmao
^_^
One of the all time classics. That finish is still referenced in track meets to this day.
The Olympics officially banned hats like that after the race as if that somehow helped him. If anything, it was additional drag. But maybe there were hidden stats in there after all.
2019 and never get tired of seeing this. I met Dave in 1971
I watched this live on TV in 1972 while my parents were watching in the stands! I even recorded it with my Craig tape recorder (I still have the tape). Watching the closing kick again, it's unbelievable how he could have done it. This race is one of the reasons I ended up becoming a runner. I had the pleasure of running beside Dave at a running camp about three years later.
I've watched this a million times and it never fails that just before they get to the bell lap I start thinking that I'm finally going to wake up and Wottle will come up short because it always looks like he's left too much to do. What an amazing performance!!!
One of the great races in athletics history. Wottle's serene confidence in his ability to hold his pace while others came and went. Beautiful.
That never gets old. Thank you, Dave Wottle, for making my day again and again
Tremendous performance by Wottle. I'll never forget the 1972 Munich Olympics as it was the first one I ever saw....
+Blaine MacMillan Likewise for me and I love youtubing all this archive footage!
I’ve been watching this over and over again for years. It just doesn’t get old. Greatest race I’ve ever seen a man run!
Who here is old enough to remember watching these amazing races from the 72 and 76 Olympics?
I am 75 and I'll never forget this race or Billy Mills' beating world record holder Ron Clark in the 10K in Tokyo 1964. 2 incredible and thrilling finishes. Then there was Franz Klammer winning the downhill in the 1976 Winter Olympics. I am still blown away by those 3 races.
@markmuch1295 I watched them all. Eric Heidens skating sweep, the great distance runners in the 70's. But Klammer and Mills gotta be top 10. My man, you were lucky enough to remember way back to the Mexico Olympics, with Bob Beamons long jump. We started watching in 1972. There'll be many special moments in Paris starring today .
I remember a lot of other things from 72. And they weren’t fun
I am 68 years old and was running high school track in 1972 and I remained glued to the TV for every minute of the Munich Olympics.
@CaneFu Weren't those great Olympics? I'm 65 and was running track in 1975 in High School, and had the same feelings.
This was one of the most strategically intelligent races ever run. Wottle was magical and his feat will never be forgotten. By the way, he was so focused that he forgot to remove his cap during the playing of the anthem at the awards ceremony. Even his mother asked him if he was "protesting" something. It was only then that he noticed he was still wearing his cap. Hehehehee.
Greenwolfe Green I'd like to think that that cap was as much a part of his body as his gold-medal feet were.
Bill Bowerman had a story of seeing Dave Wottle running at night just before the shootings took place.
Too bad Nike didn't sign Dave as a sponsor. Imagine how many hats they would have sold after Woddle won..
Suggest too close a finish to be strategic... look at the previous (1968) Olympic final and 1.4 sec faster.
@@andrewheath5948 right, I've listened to his interview of the race...he was just trying to not embarrass himself by catching the pack...then he kept picking people off as he made his way through the pack. But boy was he a smooth runner.
I remember watching this on TV; it could have been yesterday. Great narration from the late great Jim McKay.
I was 13 when this happened, a budding runner and I discovered Wottle at the Olympic Trials. It is a race I will never forget and watching replays never grow old.
I watched this when I was 10 years old. This is one of my favorite memories of my dad. Dave Wottle and his golf cap. He always bided his time, then put on a kick with a 200 meters to go that no one could believe. And the most humble of winners, congratulating everyone that raced. Thank you Dave, for showing us all how to win.
I have watched this about 20 times in the past year and have yet to tire of it. Great commentary, almost as exhilarating as Chic Anderson’s call of the historic ‘73 Belmont Stakes when Secretariat won by 31 lengths and became the first triple crown winner in 25 years.
Remember Wottle, well all through my track, cross country years in HS and college.
He was a big inspiration for me, since I ran the 880 and 440
I ran those also, but for me it was Alberto Juanorena because I had just started high school and I was tall like he was
Yes me too,I was a 440/880 guy.Two horse races no one wanted to run in the early 1970's. Every one wanted to be a miler!
880 and 440. Those were the days. A lot of schools did not keep those records when we switched to 400 meter and 800 meter.
I watched this live as a kid, my dad and I went nuts....great excitement before the tragedy that came later in those games....
I remember watching this race live in 1972 and it remains by far the most exciting 800 I have ever seen.
I remember watching this live. It was one of the most thrilling races I've ever seen.
That sends chills thru me every time i watch it. Dave showed out.🖒
Still amazes me. Met Dave when he was a college admissions counselor and he sat with us at the Cross Country table in high school when he visited my school. We were all awestruck and could barely speak. A super nice guy. I was the rabbit on our team, I could have learned a lot about strategy from him. Only took me 40 years to understand.
In 1972, when I was 19, Dave Wottle gave me a life lesson with his strategy.
I remember watching this when I was 14 years old. When he fell so far back and was still in last place at the start of the bell lap, I didn't think he had a chance.
I remember seeing this race at a TV shop. I was 11 years old. My Dad was getting our Zenith TV fixed and we were standing around watching this race after the TV repairman had just finished fixing the TV. Great timing. I could not believe he came from the back of the pack and beat everyone at the end. We were all dumbfounded and were shocked at what we had just seen. Just an amazing race.
I watched it live in 1972. Still the most exciting footrace I have ever seen.
Me too. It was on the first night of the track and field program. I had no expectations at all for this race, never even heard of Wottle .. and then "Wow, did that really happen?"
"They said he shouldn't get married - they said it would ruin him!" haha
lol😅
No PC back then! :)
😂🤣😂
In the long run it did.
they might have been right.
Watching this while my Dad was screaming “c’mon hat, c’mon hat” is something I’ll always remember.
I remember as a high school cross-country runner trying to sprint with the rabbits in a race and ending up unable to finish without walking at the end. So I decided to try going nice and easy at first, but make sure I ran all the way. First race I did this was a big regional meet with something like 500 runners. I was dead last when we went off the track and into the woods, but I kept passing people. At the end I was 25th out of 500. Dave Wottle was my idol and inspiration.
No matter how fast you went out, if you can't at least finish the race.. You weren't very good
Quinn try taking out a 5k with a 55s 400 in high school, no matter how good you are, you can't finish that race well... Your argument is invalid.
You should still be able to finish...
Patrick Curley I can relate to that! I was just starting high school when the '72 Olympics took place. I was not a good sprinter (couldn't even get under 60 seconds in the quarter mile), but by following Wottle's tactics I could place pretty high in cross country (2 mile course).
I am a 56 y.o.Italian former long distance runner.In my not brilliant runner carreer I always tried to start slow and to finish as fast I could.This way to run a competition always pay ,in my opinion.
I was 5 years old in 72. What I remember very well is sitting on my dads lap and watching him go absolutely crazy screaming to the top of his lungs when Wottle stretched his body over the finish line to beat the Soviet runner. I saw this again with my dear old dad 8 years later when the US beat the Soviet Union in ice hockey in 1980!!!!!!
I cry when I watch this. Never give up
So close Jim KcKay had to say, "I think he did it!" I watched it live and wasn't sure until I saw the replay. Still the greatest finish I have ever seen. They show it to young high school runners nearly half a century later.
Brings back such great memories and the all important lesson-never give up!!!
I remember watching this race live when I was a mere lad of 7. One of the great dramatic moments in athletic history!!
As a former athlete, this is so awesome! I was born in 1971 so I have only just seen this race now for the 1st time. This is a great example of remaining cool under pressure. Dave Wottle ran his own race and didn't get sucked in to sticking with the other runners in a quick 1st lap. He timed it to perfection and was never rattled. This is a beautiful race to watch and should be shown to all athletes , especially to all racers in track, swimming riding pushbikes ect. Great stuff!. thank you for posting this race. John.
"He's got one Kenyan. He's got another!" lol, commentators were just as excited and we were.
Lol. I caught that shit too. Funny as hell
Lmaoooo
I have the feeling this commentary was done after the fact, like the Franz Klammer downhill in the Winter Olympics.
@@Finarphin Nope, that's Jim McKay and Marty Liquori, the same two guys who were on the telecast in real time. I remember this Olympics better than any other. It was the first one that I saw and had so much drama in the events and tragedy at the grounds.
@@obbor4 Yes, I know it's Jim McKay and Marty Liquori, and I also remember watching this in 1972, on US tv in its "first run." But the network ran their coverage as a package, and so they did at least some editing on it, not as foreign tv usually does, which often really is live; for instance as Swedish tv broadcast the 1980 events. Jim McKay and who was it, Bob Beattie (former skiing coach) did the commentary for the downhill in I think it was 1976, as if it were live, but actually was recorded after the fact. Maybe this particular race was actually the way they called it, as it happened, but maybe it wasn't. McKay had a lot of experience putting together sporting events as an entertainment package, dating back to at least 1960 (Rome). How can you be so sure?
One of the most amazing and memorable races ever. Perfect pacing!
OMG, I remember watching this on TV like it was yesterday. I was screaming at the TV set and could not believe Wottle pulled it off! Such a cool recollection!
1st 200m: ~28 sec
2nd 200m: ~27 sec
3rd 200m: ~26 sec
4th 200m: ~23 sec
What a perfect run! :O
Did Wottle close with a 49? I thought his splits were even.
Getting faster with each quarter ala Secretariat in the Kentucky Derby a year later!
Commentator called 400m at 52.3. Wottle wasn't three seconds off the pace at the bell. I made 600m in 79 seconds for Wottle with a 26.8 or so last 200m. Hardly a kick. Perfect pace judgement.
That's a double negative split !
His last 200 was a 24.86 and NOT a 23 sec.
My Family and I had recently moved to the small city of Bowling Green, Ohio home of Bowling Green State University. We begin to notice the young many, perhaps a BGSU students running all over the city of approximately 25,000 plus about 18,000 BGSU students. Yes, you would see Dave Wottle ruining all of the time. Yes, he was always running at a pretty fast past. Well, then when we watched him win the Gold Metal, words were just impossible to express the joy for one David Wottle who worked and trained so hard can 100 percent dedicated to doing his best and he would hope to do well. nothing better than the Gold Metal, Now may I add this, there was another young many in Bowling Green and a BGSU student. You would always find him on the ice and Hockey at BGSU. It was truly amazing how dedicated and committed he was to making himself to be the very best, His name, Scotty Hamilton, another Gold Metal winner from a fine university and a small town in Northwestern Ohio. My wife and I were blessed with three sons and a daughter. There is absolutely no doubt in my thinking that both David Wottle and Scott Hamilton inspired our sons and daughter to always work hard, never say never, and dream big. Yes, an experience in our journey of life that was incredible. Harold "Puck" Rowe now 86 9/18/22.living in Findlay, Ohio Lost my dear wife to Alzheimer's eight years ago.
Great story Harold and memories how inspirational this race was to so many just like Billy Mills great human beings
I remember this race well. I was just a boy, but my father made clear that Dave Wottle demonstrated the highest degree of self-discipline by maintaining his pace (26 seconds per 200) from start to finish. When the others faltered, Dave rose to greatness.
Maybe all the dislikes are from Kenyans and Russians?
This is one of the greatest races in Olympic history. This race helped inspire me to switch from sprinting to middle distance.....
What a classic! Wottle was simply amazing and Jim Mckay with a phenomenal call.
I remember watching this on TV as it happened when I was only 11 years old. I was thrilled!
What was even more amazing is that the exact same thing happened in the semi-finals ...In that race, Woddle was hopelessly behind, and we thought he would certainly finish last. But he eventually caught up, then sprinted down the stretch and pulled out first place by the bill of his golf cap!
So I knew he would attempt the same thing in this race, but he seemed too far behind the Russian to catch him. Somehow he did! it was like watching lightning strike twice!
To this day, watching Woddle come back & win remains one of the most exciting track & field events I've ever seen!
Awesome piece of history!
The greatest comeback ever in history of track.
Agreed!!!! I too saw this race & I was like who's the guy with the hat???? Oh ok that's who he is!!!!! Proud American moment!! Salute Mr. Dave Wottle 🇱🇷
Yup
No! Moraa did this in 800m Commonwealth last year.
Until Shane Cohen NCAA finals 2024
cole hocker 1500m final paris 2024
I must have watched this race a 100 times since i saw it first in 72 and every time I'm as surprised that he wins as the first time.
Get your ass off TH-cam and figure out how to beat this Virus, Id really like to go back to work before I empty my savings or drink the coolaide and go die in my hammock.
@@williamwood7348 okey
The single greatest finish by a runner in Olympic history!
Not to be a contrarian but Billy Mills had a great finish as well.
Yes you are right, this was and still is thr greatest track race in the 126 years of modern Olympic history, Thank you Dave Wottle for doing the impossible and the mighty inspiration you are to all generations of humanity, God bless Dave. with love and admiration from Kerala India
Both Mills and Wottle- legends!
I was a Junior in college (Florida State University in 1972) and I remember watching this race. Wottle was very popular among college students.
Watched this as a kid 48 years ago and watching this again I still got chills. Amazing run.
Went to school in Canton...same time Dave was there....that area so into sports.
I just watched this and now I am motivated to take my grueling 2 mile jog followed by a three hour nap.
***** lol
How Bad Do You Want It - Track edition
Three hour nap is way too much. Besides, it's not healthy.
Is a complete lack of a sense of humor unhealthy?
I am motivated to run one quarter mile, all out, followed by a burger and a six-pack of beer.
Wow. Hats off to that guy. Wait.. what?
This is what America is all about. This has to be the greatest comeback of all time. I was frantic. I was hysterical. Never give up!
well, our good America is gone...but on the womens side, we really got a lot of great athletes with heart...
biologicaly male hearts@@leelaural
So proud, I’m gonna have this guys’ determination
One of the best runs I've ever seen!!
This race always brings a smile to my face.
Me too.
Happy 72nd Dave Wottle.
People act like this was some emotional comeback. It couldn't be further from the truth! The fact is, David Wottle is a machine. He got exactly the same time for every 200 meters. Perfect distribution of energy.
Wow!!! Never could have known or thought of that! Thx
It is not uncommon to run the 800 with a faster first lap.
I remember watching this race with my dad in 1972. We watched a lot of sports together. With about 200 yards to go, dad said "here comes the golf hat" meaning Wottle was coming. Cancer took my dad in 1980, but it didn't take the memories.
"The man who then got married, and some people said he shouldn't have got married: it was gonna ruin him" Amazing call
love Dave. I met this man last year and he is the nicest man. He makes me proud to be a Bowling Green Falcon!!!!
Beautiful, Awesome...being from Ohio and down the road from Bowling Green makes this even more special
I am a BG Falcon from back then, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I still think this is not only the greatest foot race ever filmed, but the most thrilling exhibition of athletics that I've ever seen, and I've been around sports a long time. The incomparable Jim McKay makes it even a few notches better.
I remember watching this race very well. Always remembered it but I never could remember his name. Glad I found this and thanks for putting it up.
i never get tired of watching this incredible athlete put his heart into
this race.
Sad O's but a great race (watched it in my wife-to-be's dorm room). Thanks for posting!
Wonderful even pacing. One of the great races of all time. Even watching it again you think her isn't going to do it.
This will always be a classic race 👍 what a closing, kick and timing
Thank you runner1972. I got excited again reliving the race. What a great childhood memory!
GO FALCONS! I still think of Dave Wottle when I don a cap before going out for a jog. I watched this race live when I was 15, and would follow Wottle to Bowling Green State University three years later. Thanks for reviving this amazing memory and a tribute to one of my alma maters’ legendary graduates.