David Coleman was a fantastic presenter and commentator. In saying that though he was prone to the odd mis-pronunciation which is why I think Steve Cram and Andrew Cotter are better commentators. As for presenting Gabby Logan is brilliant.
a golden era not just in British Athletics , but world Athletics. Like today in mens' tennis Federer/Nadal/Novak/ and to a lesser extent Murray/Stan W/Del Potro/Cilic etc wont be seen ever again in our lifetimes .
Indeed! It wasn't until we hit the 90s where Morcelli & El-G were flying on EPO & HGH. Even 18 year old Noah Ngeny ran 3:26 /1500m and beat El-G at the Olympics.
When I was at University in Brighton (78-81) I’d see see Ovett training. He was a huge talent, and what I’d call a racer. But big respect for Cram in this one.
Cram was a class act. Ovett could get carried away sometimes when he waved to the crowd before his victories, but ultimately he too was a class act in that he gave honest congratulations to those that beat him as seen after this race. Coe wasn't as humble but he was an equally great runner. Man, those were the days of English middle distance running.
Maybe coming back the UK now has Two guys who have won World Championship Gold. Would be great to get Gold and Silver in the Paris Olympics next year (2024)
My best Mile was a 4:17.40 outdoors and a 4:15.64 indoors. I can NOT even conceive these times let alone run them. Ovett and Coe were my ultimate favorite runners from the 1980's, as know one was in their class with multiple World Records between the two of them.
Voted race of the century, by Athletic's Weekly in 2003 and Seb Coe actually stated that Ovett was still the World number one, although Cram beat him in Helsinki and he even failed to win a medal!
Ovett ran a bad tactical race in Helsinki, got himself boxed in and couldn't respond in time when Cram made his strike for home with 300m to go. Ovett actually ran the fastest last lap but was so far behind he couldn't get into the medals.
Cram was at his when he took the race with full throttle. He was a guy who relied on physical strength, guts and a will to win. His race wins are memorable.
As I've always said, Cram is one of the greatest athletes to never win an Olympic gold medal. His best shot was in 84 in that classic and he wound up finishing second behind Coe.
He was injured at the turn of 1984 , and missed most of the Summer. He did not expect to even make the Olympics , and he simply did not have his usual speed on the last lap in that 1984. A great shame because if the Olympics had been run in 1982/83/85/86 he would probably have won it. Cram won 5 major titles at 1500m to just two by Coe. Cram was also quicker over both 1500m and the mile than Coe (and ovett) . But like Colin Jackson he was a world champion and world record holder that did not win the Olympics.
@@keithbate9405 Coe was ravaged with injuries during 82, 83 and 85. Ovett had the legendary fence incident. LA 1984 was the closest we got to Coe and Cram being as fit as they could be. There's not a runner from past or present who could have beaten Coe in LA in 1984 which was exactly why Aouita avoided the 1500 and ran the 5000 instead. Coe had the fastest sprint speeds between the 3 of them and if he was there with 100 to go and fit, we all know who is going to win. Cram was a magnificent runner and he made the most of the seasons when Coe/Ovett were injured but imo Coe just had that something special which I've only seen once in my lifetime!
@@KryptonitetoallBS Cram was not at his peak in 1984. He had missed winter training , and had doubted he would actually make the Olympics. I refer you to my previous answers that rely on absolute peak times. By doing so you can discount injuries and illnesses in different years . So Coe was faster than Cram at 800m and the 1000m. but at the Mile Cram was faster by a huge 0.99secs and marginally quicker over 1500m. But the later is enough to win a race. Cram also won 5 major titles at 1500m . More than Coe and Ovett combined. Coe ran well in 1986. he finally picked up a major title at 800m finally winning the Euro's. But Cram beat him over 1500m. We are never going to agree on this. But I am a data and stats man. So you can argue until the end of the time . But you can't say that Coe at his absolute fastest over the Mile and 1500m ran faster than Cram. He didn't ! ps it is not Cram's fault that Coe missed the majority of 3 whole years due to illnesses and injury. What I like about Cram was that he would run against anyone . he Beat Cruz and Aquita when the later were at or near their peaks. he accepted Ovet's challenge at Crystal Palace in 1983. Coe and Ovett avoided each other outside the major championships especially 1981 , when they exchanged world records. They should have been running against each other. Coe may have had the quickest sprint times .But he ran terrible tactical races time and time again . having to come from behind in the finishing straight. Cost him more than once.
@@keithbate9405 They probably never faced each other when they were both 100% but this was the closest "WE EVER GOT" to seeing them both as fit as they could be!
@@KryptonitetoallBS That is the point about using career fastest times re people who raced in the same era. Coe and Ovett ducked each other far too much. Cram was happy to take anyone on. he defeated Cruz over 800m when the latter was Olympic 800m champ. Cram was one of the few who beat Aquita between 1983 /85 over 1500m. The first in the World Champs , the second when Breaking the world record for 1500m.
Cram was an underrated sprint finisher. He normally took off from 300-400 and broke the guys who kicked hard off the bend like he did here with the great Ovett. But I’ve seen Cram kick off the bend too…he had excellent speed. I’d love to know what his sprint times were for 100, 200 and 400
Darren Shaw, yep, I think an Ovett at his best years, could have kicked past Cram in this race at the end, because he had speed endurance but also sprint kick. He kicked off 2 world record breaking races earlier in his career, and beat everyone in the last 100m.
@@lennoxmate4064 Absolutely. I get annoyed when some try to diminish Cram's victory here by saying Ovett was past his best. As you say, he had broken the world record a few days before. He also won a few other high profile races in 1983 in times similar to those he ran before 1981. He entered this race late because he was confident he could beat Cram in my opinion. He sat on Cram all the way and though Cram's winning margin was narrow, Ovett never looked like defeating him at any stage.
@@mathematics5573 Coe's kick was incredible too! Cram would've started kicking with 300m left and it would've made for an interesting race between the 3 of them!!
tactical error from the great tactician Ovett - off 2.58 it was going to be very hard to go around Cram and he just never could in this one. A great race none-the-less
awesome,just awesome.cram beats the master but only just.same distance between them at the bell as at the finish line,cram broke him on the final bend tho and ovett wanted this one.he rightfully shakes and raises crams arm at the end.fantastic
The controversial race, leading up to the trial times which Cram needed to book his place in the World Championships. Ovett decided to race here and to mess up Cram's preparations, so to gain bragging rights by beating him and making Williamson- I think his name is correct -to take his place instead. Cram won this and beat Ovett in Helsinki too, so very underhand!
@@simonhindley65 And achieved countless things you only dream about, when you go to bed with your teddy. If you can't add something to do with the topic then why bother? Try reading books about Coe, Ovett and Cram first.
No announcer commentary, no blaring pop music. Just 17,000 people yelling "come on Steve" while the excitement plays out. I'm so sad that stadium athletics isn't like this any more.
You were desperate one minute and willing the next for Ovett to win, if you had been desperately willing it would have made no difference. Cram won from the front in style.
At one time or another Steve C. took on every last one of the world's best milers and beat them. Only an athlete will appreciate how close to impossible it is to take on someone with the finish of Seve O. and beat them.
Ovett was at his peak here . World record holder . But this was the day that Cram proved he was now above both Coe and Ovett. he dominated at 1500m in 1983/85/86. But had an injury set back in Spring 84 , and his training was put back. he did not have the preparation nor races going into the 1984 Olympics . So sadly unlike Coe and Ovett he never got an Olympic title (note neither Coe nor Ovett won a world title at either 800 nor 1500m)
Between 82/86 the 1984 Olympics was the only time Coe beat Cram over 1500m. This was the only year that Cram had had an injury set back. it was close between them but the clock can be used as a comparison as both were at their peaks in this period, and set their best ever times, which were also world records . At 1500m and the Mile Cram recorded faster times in this period. Coe was quicker over 800m. But unlike Coe and Ovett, Cram never claimed to be a 800m specialist .Despite this he ran nearly two seconds faster than Ovett over 800m. Cram remained the British record holder for 1500m and the Mile for thirty years until Mo Farah finally broke the 1500m record a couple of years ago. Cram won as many major titles as Coe and Ovett combined despite having a much shorter peak period (82/86) than his two British rivals.
Keith Bate Coe and ovett peak periods were late 70s early 80s cram peak was 85/86 wen ovett and Coe we’re past their peak so u can’t really compare them but most experts say that Coe was r greatest middle distance runner breaking 12 world records and 2 Olympic golds 2 Olympic silvers u say Coe never won 800 world title but he won 800 World Cup in 81 which was basically a World title
@@davidshannon2860 Cram's peak was 82/86 . He won the European and Commonwealth titles at 1500m in 1982. In 1983 he won the 1500m world championship beating Aquita , Ovett , Scott. Apart from the Olympic year of 1984 cram was dominant between 82/86 . he had a major injury set back in early 84 and wasn't able to train fully . He still did well to get the silver medal . Cram's 1500 m world record broke the records of Coe and Ovett . That record stood for nearly 30 years (!) until beaten by Mo farah. Cram was also quicker than Coe and Ovett over one mile . Coe was quicker over 800m which I think the latter regarded as his main distance . But Cram ran the 800m over a second quicker than Ovett.
haha as if-a peak ovett 1978/79 would have whupped peak cram.cram won this fair and square tho and i love him too.who was best,coe or ovett......the truth is we will never know because of the smog in l.a. oh and possibly some church railings.some things are meant/meant not to be.the record books sort of say coe(just and justly)but.......maybe its right that no-one really knows.id have given my right foot to see the three at full peak in different kinds of races-i mean tactical,world record attempts,one offs,olympics
@@joemcm1 i always thought ovett lacked a yard in pace compared to coe and cram coe outkicked ovett in moscow and crammy in crystal palace 83 i wonder if any of them could handle rudisha at 800 or el g at 1500
@@colinhumphreys8818 would be nice to know for sure wouldnt it.ovett let coe win in moscow(not just my opinion but others too).cram beat ovett fair and square at cp
David Coleman what a commentator!!! Legend! Those were the days Ovett Cram and Coe!! True British icons it was always Ovett for me!
The golden age of the mile race, called by the best announcer ever.
Every mile or 1500m race in those days featuring Ovett, Cram or Coe was an event to savour!
Commentator.
@@paulweir5031 Right you are, thanks.
David Coleman was a fantastic presenter and commentator. In saying that though he was prone to the odd mis-pronunciation which is why I think Steve Cram and Andrew Cotter are better commentators. As for presenting Gabby Logan is brilliant.
Wonderful commentary, increasingly adding the energy as the race reached its climax and adding much to events on the track. Bravo!
David Coleman was the best commentator in the business
Remeber it well, was sitting in the stands just near the finish line that night. A great moment in British athletics.
It's a shame the sport council and Bromley council have let the stadium to rot,the last time I passed through it this year
Could watch these all day.
i know, what we wouldnt do to have these days back. 3 of the best 1500 metre runners in the world. cram, ovett and coe.
a golden era not just in British Athletics , but world Athletics.
Like today in mens' tennis Federer/Nadal/Novak/ and to a lesser extent Murray/Stan W/Del Potro/Cilic etc
wont be seen ever again in our lifetimes .
It looks as if we are going into another great era over 1500m. We have Two world champions. Maybe one and Two at the Olympics next year.
Both world class and could beat each other depending on the day. Cram was such an elegant runner.
What a phenomenal race!
Cram...clean..underrated world champion!
Indeed! It wasn't until we hit the 90s where Morcelli & El-G were flying on EPO & HGH. Even 18 year old Noah Ngeny ran 3:26 /1500m and beat El-G at the Olympics.
When I was at University in Brighton (78-81) I’d see see Ovett training. He was a huge talent, and what I’d call a racer. But big respect for Cram in this one.
Worked on groundstaff at the Palace 1981 until 2019, great times
Cram was a class act. Ovett could get carried away sometimes when he waved to the crowd before his victories, but ultimately he too was a class act in that he gave honest congratulations to those that beat him as seen after this race. Coe wasn't as humble but he was an equally great runner. Man, those were the days of English middle distance running.
Ovett was a bad loser.
Maybe coming back the UK now has Two guys who have won World Championship Gold. Would be great to get Gold and Silver in the Paris Olympics next year (2024)
Humble and Coe aren’t two words that can fit in the same sentence…
@@Driver2616Many top level champions fit that same category. Gascoigne, Ali, Daley Thompson, Michael Johnson, Wiggins, McEnroe etc
My best Mile was a 4:17.40 outdoors and a 4:15.64 indoors. I can NOT even conceive these times let alone run them. Ovett and Coe were my ultimate favorite runners from the 1980's, as know one was in their class with multiple World Records between the two of them.
I once did a 4 minute mile, but it was on a pushbike.
4:15 is excellent!
I still remember this era, I was nine😮
Extraordinary pacing timing and passion on show here. But that's enough about Colman. Cram and Ovett weren't bad either.
Coe, Cram, Ovett, such great English middle distance runners, than we almost forget we had other world class runners in Tom Mckean and Peter Elliott
And Dave Moorcroft !!
It's almost like there was a production line turning out British middle distance champs and record-breakers!
Don't think we will ever have the same calibre of runners together at any one time ever again that was a once in a lifetime event !@@denisej4813
Voted race of the century, by Athletic's Weekly in 2003 and Seb Coe actually stated that Ovett was still the World number one, although Cram beat him in Helsinki and he even failed to win a medal!
Especially as ovett had just ran 1500 m world record 3:30:77 !!!!!!!!!!
Ovett set 1500m world record that year so was still world class this was ovett last year as world class athlete he went downhill after 1983
Ovett ran a bad tactical race in Helsinki, got himself boxed in and couldn't respond in time when Cram made his strike for home with 300m to go. Ovett actually ran the fastest last lap but was so far behind he couldn't get into the medals.
He always got boxed in but far the best and natural of the three.@paulwilliams8389
Actually remember this race and I was only 5 yrs old!!!
Bollocks do you
Cram was at his when he took the race with full throttle. He was a guy who relied on physical strength, guts and a will to win. His race wins are memorable.
cannot believe that was 40years ago, i remember sitting on the ease of my sofa and screaming at my TV , fantastic
They are epically awesome! All of them!
What a race and what a champions!!
What a cracking race both spot on just held on magic x
As I've always said, Cram is one of the greatest athletes to never win an Olympic gold medal. His best shot was in 84 in that classic and he wound up finishing second behind Coe.
He was injured at the turn of 1984 , and missed most of the Summer. He did not expect to even make the Olympics , and he simply did not have his usual speed on the last lap in that 1984. A great shame because if the Olympics had been run in 1982/83/85/86 he would probably have won it.
Cram won 5 major titles at 1500m to just two by Coe. Cram was also quicker over both 1500m and the mile than Coe (and ovett) . But like Colin Jackson he was a world champion and world record holder that did not win the Olympics.
@@keithbate9405 Coe was ravaged with injuries during 82, 83 and 85. Ovett had the legendary fence incident. LA 1984 was the closest we got to Coe and Cram being as fit as they could be. There's not a runner from past or present who could have beaten Coe in LA in 1984 which was exactly why Aouita avoided the 1500 and ran the 5000 instead. Coe had the fastest sprint speeds between the 3 of them and if he was there with 100 to go and fit, we all know who is going to win. Cram was a magnificent runner and he made the most of the seasons when Coe/Ovett were injured but imo Coe just had that something special which I've only seen once in my lifetime!
@@KryptonitetoallBS Cram was not at his peak in 1984. He had missed winter training , and had doubted he would actually make the Olympics.
I refer you to my previous answers that rely on absolute peak times. By doing so you can discount injuries and illnesses in different years .
So Coe was faster than Cram at 800m and the 1000m. but at the Mile Cram was faster by a huge 0.99secs and marginally quicker over 1500m. But the later is enough to win a race.
Cram also won 5 major titles at 1500m . More than Coe and Ovett combined.
Coe ran well in 1986. he finally picked up a major title at 800m finally winning the Euro's. But Cram beat him over 1500m.
We are never going to agree on this. But I am a data and stats man. So you can argue until the end of the time . But you can't say that Coe at his absolute fastest over the Mile and 1500m ran faster than Cram. He didn't !
ps it is not Cram's fault that Coe missed the majority of 3 whole years due to illnesses and injury. What I like about Cram was that he would run against anyone . he Beat Cruz and Aquita when the later were at or near their peaks. he accepted Ovet's challenge at Crystal Palace in 1983.
Coe and Ovett avoided each other outside the major championships especially 1981 , when they exchanged world records. They should have been running against each other.
Coe may have had the quickest sprint times .But he ran terrible tactical races time and time again . having to come from behind in the finishing straight. Cost him more than once.
@@keithbate9405 They probably never faced each other when they were both 100% but this was the closest "WE EVER GOT" to seeing them both as fit as they could be!
@@KryptonitetoallBS That is the point about using career fastest times re people who raced in the same era.
Coe and Ovett ducked each other far too much. Cram was happy to take anyone on. he defeated Cruz over 800m when the latter was Olympic 800m champ. Cram was one of the few who beat Aquita between 1983 /85 over 1500m. The first in the World Champs , the second when Breaking the world record for 1500m.
Passing of the torch...
Fantastic race!
Cram was an underrated sprint finisher. He normally took off from 300-400 and broke the guys who kicked hard off the bend like he did here with the great Ovett. But I’ve seen Cram kick off the bend too…he had excellent speed. I’d love to know what his sprint times were for 100, 200 and 400
Such a shame we never had a few years from the early to mid 80's where Cram, Coe and Ovett were fit and healthy at the same time.
Darren Shaw, yep, I think an Ovett at his best years, could have kicked past Cram in this race at the end, because he had speed endurance but also sprint kick. He kicked off 2 world record breaking races earlier in his career, and beat everyone in the last 100m.
Francis Hooton Ovett had just broken the 1500m world record a few days before this race.
@@lennoxmate4064 Absolutely. I get annoyed when some try to diminish Cram's victory here by saying Ovett was past his best. As you say, he had broken the world record a few days before. He also won a few other high profile races in 1983 in times similar to those he ran before 1981. He entered this race late because he was confident he could beat Cram in my opinion. He sat on Cram all the way and though Cram's winning margin was narrow, Ovett never looked like defeating him at any stage.
@@mathematics5573 Coe's kick was incredible too! Cram would've started kicking with 300m left and it would've made for an interesting race between the 3 of them!!
@@richardmilliken5651 you forget, cram was a younger generation than coe and ovett.
That Cram could certainly show some toe back in the day.
tactical error from the great tactician Ovett - off 2.58 it was going to be very hard to go around Cram and he just never could in this one. A great race none-the-less
Indeed! El-G would've made sure the pace was much faster and he would've begun his usual kick from 600 meters out.
Cram Ovett and Coe we were truly spoiled
Ovett always the sportsman i think he recognised his era coming to the end raised crams arm
Ovett was never the same runner after his 1981 thigh/knee injury.
Every one was for cram god he was big in the day
2 British legends.
Steve cram all class , Steve ovett absolute street fighter👏🏻👏🏻
awesome,just awesome.cram beats the master but only just.same distance between them at the bell as at the finish line,cram broke him on the final bend tho and ovett wanted this one.he rightfully shakes and raises crams arm at the end.fantastic
Hard to pass Cram with a 53 last lap
Indeed! Only the great Jim Ryun with a 49 second last lap kick would've beaten Cram!
At his peak, once Cram got in the front on that last lap he just couldn't be caught.
Probably the most thrilling race ever staged in Britain, only David Coleman could do justice to this with his commentary.
It is about time someone ran 3:25 for 1500m and 3:42 for a mile. Mr Cram or Mr Ovett, are you up for it?
never get sick of watching it-epic.was there really a loser? both put their balls on the line,cram won fair and square tho
Was Ovett slightly past his best here? And Cram a couple of years away from achieving his best?
The controversial race, leading up to the trial times which Cram needed to book his place in the World Championships. Ovett decided to race here and to mess up Cram's preparations, so to gain bragging rights by beating him and making Williamson- I think his name is correct -to take his place instead.
Cram won this and beat Ovett in Helsinki too, so very underhand!
This was after Helsinki!
That is correct, it was after Helsinki, what are you taking Mr magri LOL
I knew Charlie Magri had taken too many blows to the head.
@@jontyarnold8522 Did I say it was before, so what is your point?
@@simonhindley65 And achieved countless things you only dream about, when you go to bed with your teddy.
If you can't add something to do with the topic then why bother?
Try reading books about Coe, Ovett and Cram first.
Great race
No announcer commentary, no blaring pop music. Just 17,000 people yelling "come on Steve" while the excitement plays out. I'm so sad that stadium athletics isn't like this any more.
Was willing ovett to win
You were desperate one minute and willing the next for Ovett to win, if you had been desperately willing it would have made no difference. Cram won from the front in style.
Me too but I appreciated Cram’s great performance
At one time or another Steve C. took on every last one of the world's best milers and beat them. Only an athlete will appreciate how close to impossible it is to take on someone with the finish of Seve O. and beat them.
The only way Ovett was going to beat Cram this day was run a WR from the gun
My favourite…….Steve Ovett.
Gram ovette ko des légendes
Kevin Sibley
The braver runner won
Born march year born 1983
the chief irony is if you drink a lot of coca cola you cant run a mile
desperately wanted ovett[ not a huge cram fan
Why would that be?
Haway the lad.
Ovett should have run 3.45 that day.
Had he been 100% and Coe at 100% they both would've run 3:45.
Too back for Cram that the Olympics weren't on odd number years.
Ovett was at his peak here . World record holder . But this was the day that Cram proved he was now above both Coe and Ovett. he dominated at 1500m in 1983/85/86. But had an injury set back in Spring 84 , and his training was put back. he did not have the preparation nor races going into the 1984 Olympics . So sadly unlike Coe and Ovett he never got an Olympic title (note neither Coe nor Ovett won a world title at either 800 nor 1500m)
Keith Bate Coe also had injury’s and illnesses in 82/83/miss part of 84 but still came back to win Olympic gold again
Between 82/86 the 1984 Olympics was the only time Coe beat Cram over 1500m. This was the only year that Cram had had an injury set back.
it was close between them but the clock can be used as a comparison as both were at their peaks in this period, and set their best ever times, which were also world records .
At 1500m and the Mile Cram recorded faster times in this period. Coe was quicker over 800m. But unlike Coe and Ovett, Cram never claimed to be a 800m specialist .Despite this he ran nearly two seconds faster than Ovett over 800m.
Cram remained the British record holder for 1500m and the Mile for thirty years until Mo Farah finally broke the 1500m record a couple of years ago.
Cram won as many major titles as Coe and Ovett combined despite having a much shorter peak period (82/86) than his two British rivals.
Keith Bate wudnt say he was above Coe tbh
Keith Bate Coe and ovett peak periods were late 70s early 80s cram peak was 85/86 wen ovett and Coe we’re past their peak so u can’t really compare them but most experts say that Coe was r greatest middle distance runner breaking 12 world records and 2 Olympic golds 2 Olympic silvers u say Coe never won 800 world title but he won 800 World Cup in 81 which was basically a World title
@@davidshannon2860 Cram's peak was 82/86 . He won the European and Commonwealth titles at 1500m in 1982. In 1983 he won the 1500m world championship beating Aquita , Ovett , Scott.
Apart from the Olympic year of 1984 cram was dominant between 82/86 . he had a major injury set back in early 84 and wasn't able to train fully . He still did well to get the silver medal .
Cram's 1500 m world record broke the records of Coe and Ovett . That record stood for nearly 30 years (!) until beaten by Mo farah. Cram was also quicker than Coe and Ovett over one mile . Coe was quicker over 800m which I think the latter regarded as his main distance . But Cram ran the 800m over a second quicker than Ovett.
Buckner thinking wtf###
Ovett was useless.
Well he'll go to his grave with one more Olympic gold medal than you😎
1980 Olympic 800 meter champion. Wish I could have achieved the level of uselessness that Ovett reached. My favorite runner from Great Britain.
haha as if-a peak ovett 1978/79 would have whupped peak cram.cram won this fair and square tho and i love him too.who was best,coe or ovett......the truth is we will never know because of the smog in l.a. oh and possibly some church railings.some things are meant/meant not to be.the record books sort of say coe(just and justly)but.......maybe its right that no-one really knows.id have given my right foot to see the three at full peak in different kinds of races-i mean tactical,world record attempts,one offs,olympics
@@joemcm1 i always thought ovett lacked a yard in pace compared to coe and cram coe outkicked ovett in moscow and crammy in crystal palace 83 i wonder if any of them could handle rudisha at 800 or el g at 1500
@@colinhumphreys8818 would be nice to know for sure wouldnt it.ovett let coe win in moscow(not just my opinion but others too).cram beat ovett fair and square at cp