It's in the title...Ovett in his pomp..I don't have as many of his runs as I'd like,else it would have been 50 Classic Races! In his day ,one of the greats.Respect.
Even when breaking world records, you still felt that he had something left. I thank Seb Coe for pushing him to near his limits, and Steve for pushing Seb. What a time it was to be a British athletics fan.
I'm 62, been following athletics most of my life. Steve Ovett for me is the all-time favorite! The media had Coe as their darling & painted Steve as the "bad boy" Steve & Seb respected each other, but Steve was a very private individual -( not a media friendly stance to take). But watching a race where Steve was competing was a treat for the eyes! His "kick" IMHO was a thing of beauty to behold, and unlike Seb, he always looked like he was enjoying his racing. Despite the huge amount of records he held, he was a RACER 1st and foremost. Thanks for so many fantastic memories Steve!
I was born in 1965 and remember screaming at the tv watching Steve race in the late 70’s and 80’s . Great memories. My youngest lads middle name is Ovett 👍
Watching him run for all those years was the biggest sporting thrill of my life. He was majestic, and had more charisma in his little finger than Coe and Cram put together. In my opinion, the greatest middle-distance runner we have ever seen.
One of the best runners we have ever had...and went to my school. I remember our Headmaster giving us updates on his progress at the school assembles. This was around 1977 onwards. I still remember, vividly, cheering him on in that 800M final against Coe. A true master athlete.
Steve Ovett was a natural born runner who at his best could beat anyone. Even Seb Coe once said that he was the greatest runner he had ever competed against. I also believe he would have achieved more medals in his career had it not been for that ill-fated knee injury towards the end of 1981, which subsequently trigger a succession of further injuries in 1982. Despite these setbacks he would go onto to break the World Record for the mile in September 1983 and strike Gold in the 5,000m in the 1986 Commonwealth Games, which would prove to be his final swan-song.
Yes I agree Ovett had that charisma and was certainly inspirational. He and Coe were quite evenly matched yet contrasting characters . Ovett took chances was cavalier in attitude and this is what endeared him to many fans of athletics. There's always been a certain mystique with the 1500 a kind of romance and he did more than his share to keep it in the limelight. It was the marquee event for many, many years now that honour belongs more to the 10,000 in the modern era. Ovett, Coe, Elliot and Cram it was a golden era and they were special runners
Epic. I've crunched the numbers and Ovett is over a second faster, while waving to the crowd, over his final 200m (out of 1500m or mile) than Rudisha is in his 800 WRs over his last 200m. Epic. Epic.
What a naturally gifted runner. Fantastic. I remember screaming for Steve Ovett in front of the TV when I was young. Thank you so much for this wonderful "best of" of his races!
Even when breaking world records, you still felt that he had something left. I thank Seb Coe for pushing him to near his limits, and Steve for pushing Seb. What a time it was to be a British athletics fan.
I'm 62, been following athletics most of my life. Steve Ovett for me is the all-time favorite! The media had Coe as their darling & painted Steve as the "bad boy" Steve & Seb respected each other, but Steve was a very private individual -( not a media friendly stance to take). But watching a race where Steve was competing was a treat for the eyes! His "kick" IMHO was a thing of beauty to behold, and unlike Seb, he always looked like he was enjoying his racing. Despite the huge amount of records he held, he was a RACER 1st and foremost. Thanks for so many fantastic memories Steve!
I was born in 1965 and remember screaming at the tv watching Steve race in the late 70’s and 80’s . Great memories. My youngest lads middle name is Ovett 👍
Watching him run for all those years was the biggest sporting thrill of my life. He was majestic, and had more charisma in his little finger than Coe and Cram put together. In my opinion, the greatest middle-distance runner we have ever seen.
MY FAVOURITE MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER OF ALL TIME.
One of the best runners we have ever had...and went to my school. I remember our Headmaster giving us updates on his progress at the school assembles. This was around 1977 onwards. I still remember, vividly, cheering him on in that 800M final against Coe. A true master athlete.
Steve Ovett was a natural born runner who at his best could beat anyone. Even Seb Coe once said that he was the greatest runner he had ever competed against. I also believe he would have achieved more medals in his career had it not been for that ill-fated knee injury towards the end of 1981, which subsequently trigger a succession of further injuries in 1982. Despite these setbacks he would go onto to break the World Record for the mile in September 1983 and strike Gold in the 5,000m in the 1986 Commonwealth Games, which would prove to be his final swan-song.
Was my childhood hero, and still is 40 years later,, THEE BEST bar none :)
Wonderful tribute to one of the greatest middle distance athletes who has ever lived.
You either loved Ovett or Coe. I was an Ovett man. Always will be.
The most exciting and thrilling runner we ever had.
Yes I agree Ovett had that charisma and was certainly inspirational. He and Coe were quite evenly matched yet contrasting characters . Ovett took chances was cavalier in attitude and this is what endeared him to many fans of athletics. There's always been a certain mystique with the 1500 a kind of romance and he did more than his share to keep it in the limelight. It was the marquee event for many, many years now that honour belongs more to the 10,000 in the modern era. Ovett, Coe, Elliot and Cram it was a golden era and they were special runners
1978-1981 Ovett was untouchable.
1977 to 81 simply the best .. loved it
We were so proud of you Steve and still are.
Epic. I've crunched the numbers and Ovett is over a second faster, while waving to the crowd, over his final 200m (out of 1500m or mile) than Rudisha is in his 800 WRs over his last 200m. Epic. Epic.
What a naturally gifted runner. Fantastic. I remember screaming for Steve Ovett in front of the TV when I was young. Thank you so much for this wonderful "best of" of his races!
Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe rivalry was on ITV in Moscow, Zurich, Brussels and London forty one years ago.
Thanks for the comment....glad you enjoyed it !
Absolutely brilliant edit of my favourite naturally gifted athlete , coe worked his socks off , ovett had just got out of bed