1983 World Champs 4x400m Relay Final women

A great race which saw a stormer of a final leg from Jim (Kratochvilova!).

[@enricoknaak9683]

What a difference a Koch makes!

[@MrStevecro]

or as great Australian commentator Bruce MacAveney once quipped "the all-time great Koch"

[@Logans3Run]

...She and her fellow 'female' sister, Kratochvilovaw, really knew how to put their gender to shame on the track, by proving, you didn't need to be a bloke, to cheat...

[@imanjordan3050]

@@Logans3Run Marita had a baby you idiot..You doping conspiracists ruin the comments section.Just go away

[@beorlingo]

Yeah, without Bill Koch the Americans would have had no Nordic skiing team at all, for example.

[@darrenshaw767]

@@imanjordan3050 doping conspiracists, there no conspiracy that the East Germans were doped to their eyeballs. It’s a known fact.

[@bbatjargal1549]

Marita, Marita and Marita! The Legend and the Queen of Sprinting!

[@dontlookback3549]

Marita...queen of the dopers!

[@bbatjargal1549]

@@dontlookback3549 The real Queen of doping is Flo Jo who improved from 11 seconds to 10.49 within a couple of weeks, and after that she was no way close to that time...

[@FourSeasons04]

It is well documented that the East German athletes were given performance enhancement drugs for well over 20 years. There are official government papers that outline the doping system. Interestingly, people tend to throw Florence Griffith in the debate to deflect the EG guilt, yet no such documents or evidence have ever been presented to convict Florence.

[@bbatjargal1549]

@@FourSeasons04 The same applies to Marita Koch: She never tested positive for any doping drugs. Yes, there are some EG athletes who took drugs so were US and Western athletes, including Flo Jo and Ben Johnson. I suggest that you read Merlene Ottey's (Jamaican Sprinting Queen) and Gwen Torrence's (the living legend and Flo Jo's US Teammate) account of Flo Jo's performance. They make a perfect sense. Torrence said "those records of Flo Jo do not exist for me. She brought so much shame to the sport..' No wonder Flo Jo died young - her heart stopped because of the pumping steroids... The ultimate judgement of the God!

[@FourSeasons04]

The majority of EG athletes did not "officially" test positive for PED. However, they are all listed, including Marita, in the government documents outlining the state-sponsored system and how drugs where administered to their athletes. There's a documentary called the Stasi Papers (?) that goes into great detail. Bottom line, the EG were successful dopers. Regarding Florence, not one athlete has presented evidence proving her guilt. Don't give me heresay, just provide proof.

[@couch.patati-patata]

Helsinki was a fabulous World Championships.

[@royestondsouza6753]

It surely was....an amazing championships. Everybody was there.

[@davidmcmanus9022]

If you like steroids

[@couch.patati-patata]

Even the black girls never ran the 400 that fast. The Canadian, the Americans.

[@ohhiitsjustme3445]

It really was! The “who’s who” of the track world! Shame the communist countries boycotted ‘84 LA. Screwed over Koch, Goer, Kratochvilova, Kocembova, and Pinigina-Bryzgina at their peak

[@markguest36]

the first east german runner was kerstin walter , marita koch saved the day!

[@jeffconnor200]

Exactly. Coleman called Sabina Busch as lead-off and Sabina (second) was hard to miss anywhere!

[@joeortiz7715]

Oral Turinabol saved the day.

[@gorhman]

What an amazing third leg by Marita Koch but Kratochviloba almost chases the east Germans.The comentator is wrong, the first leg is not Sabine Bush who in fact runs the 2nd leg. The first runner for East Germany is Gesine Walther. Thanks for posting all these awesome vodeos from Helsinki 1983 Athetle5399.

[@jensolepoulsen4377]

Samuel Creus First leg runner is Kerstin Walther.

[@manuelat742]

@@jensolepoulsen4377 it`s right.

[@traderjoe2]

47,7 by kratochvilova in the last leg is JUST INCREDIBLE

[@Dee-zy5gh]

Steroids are incredible too.

[@carolina5131]

If her 47.7 from a running start is incredible, what does that make Koch's 47.6 from a standing start :D

[@MrStevecro]

@@Dee-zy5gh: yet with steroid use by so many then and possibly most since they haven't got faster. If you're the best on steroids you've beaten the next best on steroids

[@lkfrostad]

Carolina great point

[@rolandgreen7484]

He is a very powerful dude and runner.

[@MH77391]

Marita Koch is the most wonderful graceful runner to watch

[@jaahmaan1]

It’s amazing how steroids can make you look so graceful

[@fergusalex]

How many more times do I have to say this …..GDR team, Gesine Walther, Sabine Busch, Marita Koch and Dagmar Ruebsam

[@jensolepoulsen4377]

Hopefully not anymore. It was Kerstin Walther on the 1st leg.

[@ivancervi1825]

@@jensolepoulsen4377 no, she was Gesine Walther....Kerstin Walter was in preliminary round

[@jensolepoulsen4377]

@@ivancervi1825 No Gesine Walther in 1983. : 1.East Germany (Kerstin Walther, Sabine Busch, Marita Koch, Dagmar Rübsam) 3:19.73

[@bbatjargal1549]

Marita Koch, the living legend of sprinting!

[@bluecheese4877]

The greatest ever 😍

[@bbatjargal1549]

@@bluecheese4877 I can't agree with YOU MORE!

[@MH77391]

Yes, big fan of Marita Koch. Just such an elegant powerful runner

[@bbatjargal1549]

@@MH77391 Yes, Sir!

[@pcolt4]

Doped to the gills

[@MirjanaLfan]

Marvellous Marita ❤️

[@ranhill]

How did the Czechs sneak that dude on the anchor leg and nobody noticed?

[@sandyacombs]

Kratochvílová, is really unbelievable.

[@stevecross3784]

Sandy Combs so were her steroids. I met her once and her facial hair was scary.

[@MrStevecro]

@@stevecross3784: but you comment as if others weren't. On a level playing field she was still better than they were

[@ohen]

@@stevecross3784 My guess is she is not only on steroids but she also has a Y chromosome like Semenya.

[@Aarontlondon]

I can't believe athletics world championships used to fill stadiums! Things have changed so much since then.

[@beorlingo]

Really? You aint seen nuting yet. Greetings 12 years back to you from the the future!

[@magicmulder]

European Championships just did.

[@farsab7484]

КОХ!!! Марита. всегда за нее болел.

[@leightonsteven7059]

Marita Koch best athlete ever

[@nuwandalton]

Funny that Koch didn't run the last leg. Did she want to avoid direct comparison with Krato ?

[@reflexiona7583]

Absolutely

[@JorgeDan75]

Koch didn't run individual 400 m too in Helsinki, but only 100 and 200 m. Yes I believe she wanted to escape from a direct challenge with Jarmila.

[@tj1417]

Yes, she obviously avoided the challenge with Kratochvilova as she clearly would have been beaten both in the individual 400m and in the relay. In 1983 Kratochvilova was definitely unbeatable and Marita knew it. But I'm also convinced that Kratochvilova's performances in 1983 led Marita to work even harder in 1984 and 1985 to reach 47.60. It is such a shame that the Eastern block Countries boycott LA Olympics as I think that Valerie Brisco wouldn't even have gotten the bronze in 48.83 (let's not forget that Kocembova was storming as well in 1983 and 1984).

[@magicmulder]

@@tj1417 Still a strange decision. She may have been slightly slower in the end, but it was a risk to allow Kratochvilova the opportunity to power herself into closing the gap whereas Koch would’ve had the opportunity to counter and go faster than without a reference as to how fast she’d need to run to ensure the overall win.

[@manuelat742]

No, she didnt, it was a beautiful tactic.

[@joeortiz7715]

Don't forget Stella Walsh. Decades later, it was discovered, Stella was a fella.

[@mattiahtiainen8459]

BEST WOMAN EVER RUN,WILMA RUDOLPH

[@ti8864]

Marita showed this man his place

[@chefdunite4359]

Le début des années 80 : c'était le festival absolu de la dope et des femmes qui ressemblaient furieusement à des hommes, mais cela demeure plaisant à regarder !

[@timn4481]

that bloke running the last leg for czech was amazing.

[@youngsteph1]

Whenever I used to watch her competing as a child my family always joked how noone could compete with the man/woman.

[@ti8864]

She/he runs like a mediocre man. Also he/she is way to muscular for a 800 or 400m runner, a bit like Casta Semenya. Only a man can win a women competition with this physique.

[@lkfrostad]

Does anyone know what Koch’s split was and jarmila’s?

[@lkfrostad]

Anyone know what Koch’s split was?

[@9ertsch]

I love watching the change-overs! I wish there was an event that was no running and stuff like that, just change-overs. Something for events organisers to think about?

[@beorlingo]

100x10m would be really interesting!

[@waynehentley4332]

Stupid comment!

[@maxglendale]

Amazing... the Canadians finished ahead of the Americans?

[@bookofshadows86]

All the East German girls were insanely quick except their last runner. Kratochvilova almost caught her.

[@Squidlark]

I think it's impressive she managed to maintain her lead against a man.

[@terrydickinson3296]

men of culture, we have been had!

[@racabcn]

Doped, doped, doped.

[@markguest36]

just checked kerstin walter ran 1st leg here. gesine walter ran t 1st leg in their WR following year! sorry 2 bore u.

[@BOOMSLANG85]

i would like to know what is the comment when we see Kratochvilova just overtaking the russian girl pinigina. Thanks for the run. Kratochvilova is impressive !

[@MrStevecro]

Piningina had an impressive career. Outstanding athlete

[@MirjanaLfan]

He said it seems to me Marita Koch settled this world championship on the third leg.

[@Jess-vb6mz]

@@MirjanaLfan thank you but in fact it is just after, at 3:13 , he said something about Jk i don't understand and i would

[@MirjanaLfan]

@@Jess-vb6mz “Kratochvilova striking for home but surely she can’t do it” striking for home means your final big effort.

[@Jess-vb6mz]

@@MirjanaLfan much thanks

[@trickygoose2]

@Aarontlondon It is worth bearing in mind that this is Helsinki & Athletics is probably more popular in Finland than in any other country.

[@carolina5131]

Your description is a bit inaccurate, it should be changed to a stormer of a 3rd leg by Marita Koch, because as David Coleman said THAT is the athlete who did ALL the damage in that race.

[@carsongambaro]

Jim’s split was faster, besides he had the world record at the time

[@markguest36]

kratochvilovas split was 47.7

[@jeffconnor200]

This must be the worst piece of commetary by David Coleman ever. The lead off runner for the DDR was not Sabina Busch; she ran the second leg and Busch is rather unimstakeable.. Then he missed Koch at the start of the third leg and had to pretend he had 'thought so' all the time.

[@Aarontlondon]

Kratochvilova is a MAN! almost like Miss Trunchball in Matilda

[@douglasraddi4872]

Marita. The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be

[@petermaa6837]

Eben eine Legende 👏🌹🙏

[@tfrf0042]

💕💕💕💕💕

[@fergusalex]

GDR team Gesine Walther, Sabine Busch, Marita Koch, Dagmar Ruebsam.......how many times do I have to post this ffs

[@manuelat742]

Kerstin Walter not Gesine Walther.

[@fergusalex]

@@manuelat742 GESINE WALTER MAYBE YOU MIX UP WITH KIRSTEN SIEMON

[@manuelat742]

@@fergusalex no i didn`t, look at the results on wikipedia, it`s Kerstin Walther, Kirsten Siemon/Emmelmann is a little girl.

[@manuelat742]

@@fergusalex look in here face in the end of race, it`s clear not Kirsten Siemon.

[@jeffconnor200]

Thought Coleman would have been able to tell the difference between Gesine and Sabina!

[@KK-hp1sx]

東独の作戦勝ち。モスクワ五輪でソ連がメンバー表提出後に変更という規則違反の汚い手を使い、アンカーがコッホから逃げ切った事があり、絶好調のクラトフビロバと、調子が良くないコッホとのアンカー対決を避けたのが吉と出た。クラトフビロバはこの時47:75という超人的な走りだったそうだ。

[@yelyto__4476]

💕 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕 💕

[@magicmulder]

I wonder why the GDR made the switch, given Koch would have had better chances fighting back against whatever Kratochvilova brought to the race, as opposed to having to run without a clear reference as to where she needed to be.

[@hendrikjoerke6374]

Thema First leg of gdr wasnt Busch, it was Kerstin Walther,an Bremer wasnt Bremer it was Sabine Busch

[@paulouk83]

Jeez koch and Kratochvilova's legs...

[@lease2coach1]

Wow. Three truly poor handoffs for the DDR. Every one of them was inefficient, and two were dangerous. By contrast, that first change for the Czechs was brilliant.

[@andrewpaul7363]

good tactics by the east germans! good 2 c the americans so far back! interesting the following year the americans ran 3m 18.29.

[@MrStevecro]

their home Olympics - lots of inducements and possibly more

[@Dee-zy5gh]

More powerful steroids would have helped them run 3 m 15:)

[@andrewpaul7363]

@@Dee-zy5gh as in the seoul olympics

[@Dee-zy5gh]

@@andrewpaul7363 Precisely

[@fergusalex]

how many times do i have to say this.......east german squad, gesine walther, sabine bush, marita koch and dagmar ruebsam

[@manuelat742]

Kerstin Walter not Gesine Walther

[@butler372]

ashford beat marita koch at the 1983 world championship 100 meter semi final!!!!

[@kamuranDeliormanli]

So what? Who ask for her?

[@couch.patati-patata]

But Marita got silver and Ashford pulled out.

[@dougraddi908]

Marita Koch is the best

[@karrtt1234]

@metsdudenj Yes, they were, and how miractulously there were so invinsible a year later a the LA games !

[@MrStevecro]

steady on with the allegations! they boycotted L.A. in retaliation to the U.S. boycott of Moscow 4 years earlier.

[@ti8864]

The 2nd soviet runs like Haaland

[@couch.patati-patata]

Canada was good back then.

[@fergusalex]

how many times...……….gdr order walther, busch, Koch ruebsam

[@barnbersonol]

Welcome to the mixed 400 relay ....

[@waynepollitt7653]

Marita koch drugs or not the best

[@MrMasahan]

東ドイツの強かった時代

[@rc2869]

Obviously no North Americans have ever been on performance enhancers have they? Jones, Hunter, Johnson, Graham, Lewis, Pettigrew, Joyners(?), Gatlin, Greene, Montgomery, Harrison(s). The list is endless. Who knows what they were up to before 1990's. The last known to be fully clean athlete who won 100m for US - Jim Hines before I was born.

[@couch.patati-patata]

Gay

[@biancakaye2721]

EPA

[@zabaleta66]

KOCH!!

[@ranhill]

+Dazzaman CHEAT!!!

[@zabaleta66]

ranhill KOCH!!

[@maicaclarke7704]

Did you see that Czech fellow on the anchor.

[@athlete5399]

Yes, Ashford did beat Gohr after the Olympics and in so doing broke the world record! (10.76)

[@kamuranDeliormanli]

But this is not the subject of this video is it?

[@LPCLASSICAL]

I believe Koch would have been great without the doping but since she was in the team she had no option but to take what they were giving her. It is hard to believe that over the 6 years she was the supreme female sprinter that they got the doping exactly right every time since apart from Kratochvilova once she won every time she ran. David Jenkins who admitted doping said it made virtually no difference to his performances and he ran faster times before he doped.

[@666dr]

Koch probably still would have been great without the low levels of oral turinabol that were documented only...They were piss weak low dosages...She also progressively lowered her 400m time season to season over a long career...Jenkins would have run so much faster on peds but was always injured..Another point is that a female gets one hell of a bigger bang for their buck on steroids....No East German men around was there ..

[@martindas4143]

Shame to those people behind these artificial performance enhancement drugs from the three countries. East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Russia.

[@idontsignin]

Never knew men where allowed to run in a women's relay.

[@lkfrostad]

idontsignin HAHAHAHA

[@thomasmckenzie4584]

Well they're allowed to run in the women's 800 these days.

[@MrStevecro]

idontsignin: haha, get used to it from 2020 onwards. It'll be legit!

[@MirjanaLfan]

Marita coming fully into view on camera round the last bend was a “surprise bitches” moment for the audience.

[@hazelwalsh3269]

Ahhhh..... The eastern block doping days.

[@fergusalex]

and marion jones was clean hahahahahahaha….get real dear, the usa just don't get caught

[@vernonhendricks867]

Jarmila caught up well. The druggies had to win.

[@metsdudenj]

I cant believe how weak the US team was

[@kurtfrancis4621]

5 years later in Seoul they got "serious"...meaning they got with the "program" in how GDR & Soviets were doing.

[@Dee-zy5gh]

This was before USA starting doping, circa 1983-84 in time for the LA Olympics and ever since.

[@PRANAV737]

This was the period when they were busy juicing up Valerie Brisco Hooks, Chandra Cheesebrough and a few others.

[@lawmteachhakchhuak2386]

Ashford beats all the top East European runners...that's it!!

[@zulhairudinahmad4874]

Yes bcoz she also took drug

[@JorgeDan75]

Ashford wad dirty too

[@waynepollitt7653]

All on juice

[@skankingjoe]

eastern europe were on the juice then

[@kamuranDeliormanli]

And USA too.

[@joeortiz7715]

So why weren't the Eastern European Men dominant against the Americans?

[@markguest36]

good 2 see americans so well down!

[@ivancervi1825]

Cambi per la Ddr orrendi ma sufficenti per vincere

[@michaelmooney7341]

Did anyone notice Jarmila disappeared off the world stage after 83? Makes u wonder the secret of her speed

[@amupala]

Yeah, garyoak 300, chinese team made a great effort in this race... and americans- as always- are pure as angels.

[@brentmcnamara4828]

Not on team sheet, should of been disqualified

[@bookofshadows86]

Damn Kratochvilova's got some serious shoulders. I just don't agree with the records Marita and Jarmila set. No one has come close to their records since. If Sanya, Allyson, and Amantle get juiced up, then it's definitely possible.

[@couch.patati-patata]

A Amantle did.

[@andrewpaul7363]

ashford was not in this race! and was not the only clean athlete around at the time, probably the only clean american!!!!

[@fergusalex]

I very much doubt it

[@henryreinhard6714]

Die/der /das Kratvilowa war doch erste Genderin im Sport!?

[@davidwainwright2816]

Drug cheat