Steve Ovett
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Stephen Michael James "Steve" Ovett (born October 9, 1955), is a British middle distance runner and gold medalist in the 800 m at the 1980 Olympics.
Born in Brighton, Steve Ovett was an outstandingly talented teenage athlete. His first major title came in 1973 when he won the European junior 800 m, followed the next year in Rome with a silver in the senior event. He won AAA titles in 800 m from 1974 to 1976, in 1500 m at 1979 and in mile at 1980.
Ovett gained some Olympic experience in 1976 when he ran in the final of the 800 m and placed fifth. At the European Championships in 1978, he won gold in 1500 m and silver in 800 m.
Ovett arrived in Moscow Olympics as most people's favourite to take the 1500 m title. Earlier that month, he had established a new mile world record of 3:48.8 and two weeks later equalled Sebastian Coe's world record in 1500 m of 3:32.1. He had been unbeaten over 1500 m and mile for three years. His participation at the 800 m would serve as a test for the 1500 m. In 800 m final, Ovett was only in sixth place at the halfway mark, but pushed his way through the crowd to second place. Seventy metres from the finish, he shot into the lead and held off Coe to win by three metres. In the 1500 m, contested six days later, it was Coe who came from behind to win, while Ovett had to settle for third place.
After the Olympics Ovett lowered the 1500 m world record time to 3:31.36. In 1983 he lowered it furthermore to 3:30.77.
Ovett attempted to defend his 800 m title in 1984 Summer Olympics. Battling with bronchitis, he barely qualified for the final and then finished eighth, after which he collapsed and spent two nights in a hospital. He returned to compete in the 1500 m. Running in fourth place at the beginning of the last lap of the final, Ovett collapsed with chest pains and was taken away on a stretcher.
In 1986 he won 5000 m in the Commonwealth Games at Edinburgh. He failed to make the 1988 Olympic team and decided to retire soon after that.
| Olympic medalists in athletics (men) | Olympic Champions in Men's 800 m |
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Teddy Flack | Alfred Tysoe | Jim Lightbody | Paul Pilgrim | Mel Sheppard | Ted Meredith | Albert Hill | Douglas Lowe (twice) | Thomas Hampson | John Woodruff | Mal Whitfield (twice) | Tom Courtney | Peter Snell (twice) | Ralph Doubell | Dave Wottle | Alberto Juantorena | Steve Ovett | Joaquim Cruz | Paul Ereng | William Tanui | Vebjørn Rodal | Nils Schumann | Yuriy Borzakovskiy |
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