Very Best Of Steve Ovett-20 Classic Races!.

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.

[@Telssa1]

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.

[@driver2212]

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!

[@stephenreeds3632]

I agree. He loved to race not just run.

[@nickpage473]

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 👍

[@paulfitzgerald7290]

Yes I was also born in 1965. Great times, I was the same screaming at the TV. Great memories. Life seemed better back then.

[@paulgraham6316]

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.

[@szymon6207]

1500m and MILE !

[@jerryoshea3116]

I never saw it as a competition between these fellas &Ovett chose to ignore the media for quite an while ( which,like it or not,is part& parcel of sports,by talking& promoting their Sports,help gain it the attention They're seeking!) So they were all great runners& the UK was very fortunate to have them!

[@user-vt7fl8zr5n77]

Great koment... ❤

[@joebovill9419]

MY FAVOURITE MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER OF ALL TIME.

[@steveblack1020]

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.

[@johnmc3862]

1978-1981 Ovett was untouchable.

[@kevingrace7428]

Pretty impressive in 77 also

[@boxingjerapah]

You either loved Ovett or Coe. I was an Ovett man. Always will be.

[@mizofan]

Ovett for me too- he had charisma, Coe colder.

[@gammonbaldy1765]

Me too, the great untainted Steve Ovett, the rest are full of shit especially Coe

[@jamescarpenter6585]

There are so many unlucky what ifs: what if he didn’t have to hurdle a fallen runner which put him out of the qualifying places in the 1976 Olympic 1500 metre Semi-final?…what if he didn’t have to compete against previously unheard of Olaf Beyer who sneaked past Coe and Ovett at the death after our boys had given us such a glorious race in the ‘78 European 800 (years later Beyer cropped up as part of the Stazi’s National doping program) thus denying Ovett a well earned gold (and Coe a brave silver). What if ‘77 had been a World Championship year (the first WC was in ‘83) Ovett would’ve been favourite in both 800 and 1500 (imo). What if he didn’t have his nasty accident in ‘82 (he was never as consistent again). What if...in Olympic year ‘84 Ovett took himself off to Australia for pre-Olympic winter training and claimed to have had his best high intensity training of his career, after winning an early season mile race on the streets of Paris, he contacted Bronchitis before the Olympics which resulted in a disastrous games due to breathing problems. This was virtually the end for Ovett however, he produced a last hurrah in 1986 winning Commonwealth Gold with ease in the 5000. Hopes were high that we could have a challenger to the great Aouita but later that season Steve pulled up due to heat exhaustion in the European 5000 (ghosts of ‘84 respiratory problems) after that he started to drift out of the picture. Such a great (natural) athlete but dogged by misfortune.

[@elizabethevelyn9761]

I remember the 800m Moscow final like it was earlier today.. I remember playing with my friends then went home.. I remember the weather .. what I ate .. and the nerves I had.. that's what Ovett meant to me.. great man!

[@APBCTechnique]

@@jamescarpenter6585 yes your right - but still a great career

[@LVPAcharn]

Was my childhood hero, and still is 40 years later,, THEE BEST bar none :)

[@anty66]

We were so proud of you Steve and still are.

[@damienabbott9805]

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. Thank you for uploading this excellent compilation of Steve Ovett at his best!!!

[@anty66]

The most exciting and thrilling runner we ever had.

[@ericgeorge5483]

Wonderful tribute to one of the greatest middle distance athletes who has ever lived.

[@Gnomebe]

He was a distance runner.

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@Gnomebe Yes, a middle distance runner.

[@GN-qx5fl]

1977 to 81 simply the best .. loved it

[@johnsullivan2652]

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

[@elizabethevelyn9761]

There were so many world class Britain's in those days.. at least a dozen! Just great..

[@user-vt7fl8zr5n77]

Amazing ❤

[@kwameaboagye121]

Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe rivalry was on ITV in Moscow, Zurich, Brussels and London forty one years ago. Both hosted by Dickie Davies and commentators Alan Pascoe and Adrian Metcalfe.

[@keithmckeith]

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.

[@gerardtoner9191]

Absolutely brilliant edit of my favourite naturally gifted athlete , coe worked his socks off , ovett had just got out of bed

[@androod6211]

My favourite athlete (joint with Daley Thompson). He had the most elegant stride ever and was an absolute beast of a racer.

[@sarahtullamore1574]

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!

[@leeoliver8878]

Ovett was pure class

[@markbailey1970]

Sensational athlete - one of my great heroes

[@acechadwick]

I was about to get married and then I realised I was in love with Steve Ovett! There was simply no one like him. I still feel we would have been blissfully happy together!

[@martynhanson]

Great stuff , thanks for posting. He was the reason why I ran but, by and large, he's being airbrushed out of history by the media , you know, people like Foster , Cram et al. That's why this film on Ovett and Coe is a waste of time as the whole rivalry was built on them being evenly matched. Whereas today most people upto 35 say 'if Ovett was so good how come I haven't heard of him''

[@andywright8803]

Overtime was his own man, and could be a bit prickly. Coe was smoother

[@scallmorpheedy]

superb footage, loving this content. learning loads. thank you. The legend John walker is everywhere. Great seeing Moorcroft in this and Hutchings' expression at the end is priceless, a phenomenal cross country runner (curse injuries) brilliant stuff

[@tinniswood2577]

Just read Harry Wilson's Running Dialogue, and this ties in perfectly. A Lockdown appreciation of my favourite runner bar none, Steve Ovett. Thanks for uploading.

[@Intake33]

That 1977 World cup. Devastating. Even Coe was shocked

[@christopherlerude4]

I was a Coe man but my high school coach, Peter Duffy, a working class type as well as a 4 minute miler himself, from England, was a total Ovett guy. Great era for middle distance running.

[@gakaface]

That was a great summary of Ovett's career. Thanks for the compilation; I thoroughly enjoyed it! Cheers.

[@user-vt7fl8zr5n77]

Amazing ❤

[@deano27671]

Great work. What an icon Ovett was/is!

[@AthletixStuffChannel]

Thanks ....appreciate the comment.Ovett lived just down the coast from me....saw him training occasionally .Like you I thought"I could do that".Did one 3 mile run ....damned near killed me....after that I just made do with just watching the real athletes do it on telly!

[@AthletixStuffChannel]

Thanks for the comment....glad you enjoyed it !

[@michaellloyd6042]

Love the saluting to the crowd.

[@tonystocksmclaughlin4223]

I have marvelled at many milers/1,500mtrs runners from the 1960's to the 1990's...the era of Coe and Ovett being my favourite..loved Steve and respected Seb..great runners in that era, Coghlan( had to switch to indoors) Cram,Walker, Wessinghager, Bayi, Rono Etc...Elliot and Straub fell just short in comparison but not by much.. I remember the world 1,500 being broken 3 times in 8 days..a golden era....Thanks for the clip...

[@303azul303]

Thanks for this! Awesome! Steve Ovett has always been my favourite athlete. I grew up when he was racing at his best and was so inspired by his running. I competed to international level and running was my life. Steve Ovett was one of my heroes at the time. Now I know him to be a genius, a very special athlete indeed. Thanks for this compilation, much appreciated! :)

[@MikeFloutier]

Thanks so much for this, it really is a thrill to see!

[@thebunsterooo]

coming of the last bend and waving to the fans brilliant.

[@leevww]

Great . thanks for posting this.. halcyon days for British middle distance running. Dave Moorcroft was my school teacher for a while , another great athlete and decent man as well

[@adamd4390]

lee walker dave was a great but forgotten athlete

[@paulfitzgerald7290]

Not in Coventry. That night he took 6 seconds off the 5000m WR. In 1982 he was unbeatable.

[@keithf_]

Just a brilliant middle distance runner. Fantastic memories !

[@anthonyjohnson8672]

hero...i feel old watching races in the early 80s in black and white lol

[@paulgraham6316]

There was something very special about Ovett.

[@terrydickinson3296]

I've been watching all these great middle distance videos and it has inspired me to run like it did all those years ago , a calf strain in both legs has now put an end to it...

[@siypic]

Ran against him twice, watched him disappear from 300 to go....... my absolute hero.

[@athleticscoach2012]

Cheers mate!

[@johntim3491]

Won my School 400m by 50m back in 1985 - couldn't help but wave to the 1000 pupils along the entire home straight. Ovett was my hero - I loved the arrogance of blowing away the rest of the field - pure adrenaline & arrogance - fuck being humble - I was given the gift of speed at that time of my life - it's there to be flaunted whilst you have it.

[@jussitarponen1919]

what a fantastic kick he had !

[@APBCTechnique]

Good from 800m to half marathon. Brilliant

[@joemcm1]

just the best.his running style pre railings is god given

[@stoolpigeon4285]

Pre railings?

[@joemcm1]

@@stoolpigeon4285 yes he nearly lost his log when he crashed into some church railings training in 1981

[@Briancrobinsonspeaks]

this guys kick is amazing

[@frontkick1100]

Greatest light skinned runner of all time!

[@paulgraham6316]

You either went for the boring and mundane or the slightly wild and maverick: Charlton or Best, Davis or Higgins, Borg or McEnroe, Coe or Ovett; I always went for charisma, which is why it will always be Ovett for me.

[@robtatum5277]

Ovett & michael johnson my favs I have always thought there running styles were perfect

[@stonekeeper86]

I always pulled for Ovett, he could match Coe's speed but was much stronger and was more versitile than Coe. 400m to half marathon, etc.

[@mizofan]

Right, a greater runner overall, and more fun too.

[@fatbelly27]

He was the better tactical runner and so could be a match for anyone at a wide range of distances. 400m was a bit short, particularly in the solo event. Mind you |'d have loved to see him anchoring a 4 x 400.

[@mathematics5573]

@whatwerepeatedlydo You are being unfair on the, Coe's 400m from standing start was 46 and from rolling start is 45.6. Ovetts best 400m is 47.5 and a rolling start is 46.6. They are not much different over 400m. Their speeds made them invincible over 800m and mileing

[@steffanhoffmann8937]

Yes he was also anti establishment and saw thru the toffee nosed BS. I think thats why he emigrated to Australia. They are not like that

[@jamescarpenter6585]

whatwerepeatedlydo ...Ovett competed at 400 until he was sixteen 47.?. Coe ran a 46.? In his twenties and a 45.? In a relay (I could look these times up but these are round figures) the thing is it’s pointless comparing these times because Ovett didn’t start chasing times until Coe burst on the scene with his three world records. I mean, fair play to Coe, he revolutionised the sport by doing so because apart from Rono nobody was doing that on a regular basis and poor old Henry had to do that because he had no finishing Kick. My point is there was nothing between them, whoever was in front and kicked first would win...I truly believe that. Both runners were capable of a 51-52 second last lap in a straightforward 1500. Coe edges the 800 but then he found later in his career when he started losing his pace that he wasn’t cut out to be a 5000 metre runner...so Ovett edges the 5k...see?…barely a fag paper between them.

[@leejoliver]

runners' runner -

[@mizofan]

and the crowds who loved his wave and charisma

[@markpatterson2764]

Ovett was the greatest middle distance runner ever,never as his best after 6 Olymoic races sadly but in a single race Id back him against all the greats.The 2000 WR shadowing the great Henry Rono and sprinting by him proves in a single race he could have stayed with El Gherrouj or Ingebrigtsen or Coe for that matter and taken them off the last bend

[@mikenealon4042]

good times great times

[@sergiomellamontecinos957]

Gran atleta

[@ChristopherCudworth]

Poor Thomas Wessinhage

[@redrum4100]

Superb - though would have been even better if you'd added your own commentary for the 1983 world record :-)

[@davidjones4291]

😎👍🇬🇧magic

[@sallysmith1484]

The rather famous Dr. Wessinghage was usually the name most mentioned as trailing Ovett in these races. He was very consistent in that respect. I wonder if he EVER beat Ovett (or Coe)? Does anyone know?

[@christiandunkley-clark7038]

They were great mates

[@LPCLASSICAL]

Wessinhage did beat Ovett in a 2000M race at the end of the 1977 season. Apart from that though I dont think he ever beat him over 1500M/1 mile.

[@awagfasgawdas]

The most incredible stride ever to grace a white guy (with only Rudisha ahead, at least in my opinion). Ovett could've been everything and anything, he was that athletic and strong.

[@tommytempo1]

Prof. Wessinghage beat Ovett over 2000m in Hanover on 24 Sept 1977, the day after Ovett won a 3000m race in 7:41.3

[@tommytempo1]

+David Shreeves An answer to a query from Sally Smith below pal.

[@chrisandrews8073]

'The tough of the track'.....Steve 'Alf Tupper' Ovett....can imagine him tucking into fish supper after beating the toffs at the local meeting....they say never look back but stuff them they were glorious days......shit where's mum put my Hotspur and Victor....Muuuuummmmmm...........

[@jstevenson7121]

Nah.... You have the fish supper right BEFORE beating the toffs.

[@WilfChadwick]

I'm stoned websurfing, this is crazy cool. Try a Metallicaesque soundtrack Bloke runner!

[@Brez6645]

I'd completely forgotten about Sydney Maree setting the 1500 WR. What ever happened to him?

[@AustenMerritt]

Wasn't bad, was he!!

[@nicholasbeech932]

Ovett always seemed the working class runner compared to the public school boy Coe

[@gareth3d]

If Ovett had been born one year earlier, he would likely have been double olympic champion (1976/1980).

[@mizofan]

Right, his Olympic tally didn't do him justice.

[@joemcm1]

ive never thought about it like that but you are 100% right

[@kevingrace7428]

Probably had a games record 13:13 in him, that looked easy, not even puffing

[@redrum4100]

What distance at international level? And any big events - Commonwealth, European etc?

[@SkyBlueKangaroo]

How many times is Wessinghage mentioned? He must wish he’d been born a few years earlier.

[@gjpound6219]

why did this guy not receive a knighthood?

[@jamescarpenter6585]

Gj Pound he had the world to himself for two years (1977-78) but they were non-Olympic years. Him and Coe dominated together for three or four years but Coe was the media’s favourite so he tended to get more recognition than Ovett. In all honesty they were absolute equals, if they raced 20 times at their peak it would’ve been 10-10, whoever kicked first would win.

[@pchallen9795]

One of the all-time greats, a true legend and a great character. But for anyone out there who found all that waving to the fans down the final straight a little... um... "much".. there was always this race: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHWmiqWig5iIm7M 😀

[@jasonaltham7013]

Pratt

[@craigneeve61]

why no wins in 1982?

[@timmoule686]

Ovett missed most of the 1982 season through injury - he ran into some railings whilst training at the end of 1981, and then in trying to get back to full fitness he pulled a muscle. He missed both the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games that year as a result.

[@jeffallinson8089]

what a let down to see the race finish properly.

[@peterh1353]

The guy had it all, speed, endurance and grit. Big fan of the man. My observation was that he could hold championship pace as easily as any man ever. Just glide round not taking anything out of himself then bang. Olympics came at the wrong time and he only got one bronze at 1500m. However Cram was a better athlete. First to duck under 3.30 (way beyond peak Ovett) and he had more that he never touched. Abdi Bile and Cram could kill Ovett over the last 400 to 800m at their best. They both won world gold medals at the event too.

[@jamescarpenter6585]

@ Peter H When Ovett was at his peak (77-81) the World Championship didn’t exist...if it had done, Ovett would’ve definitely picked up (more than) one title, I can see him doing a double double (800 + 1500) in 77 and 79. In fact when Ovett broke the 1500 record in Italy 1983 (3.30.7), he was past his peak, he’d lost some of his kick due to a nasty accident in ‘82. If you look up their records, Ovett won more races than Cram, Coe or Elliott (Abdi Bile was nowhere near as consistent). Cram was great, but he only had two genuinely dominant years ‘85-86. He had a good ‘83 but it was helped by Ovett and Coe not being in good shape. At their peaks’ Ovett’s gliding gait under pressure and finishing kick from 800 - 5000 makes him the daddy.

[@markjex9035]

90% of the British New OVETT was better than Coe ! And that's a FACT .🇬🇧

[@tommystevenson2921]

Coe never in his league

[@leomurillo9381]

Great runner but extremely arrogant. Love it when Tracy beat him

[@johnmc3862]

How was he arrogant? Waving at the crowd? Hardly extremely arrogant.

[@cerneuffington2656]

As a kid, i much preferred Seb Coe because Ovett looked like a balding old man.

[@davidwainwright2816]

Wasting time waving…..🤷‍♂️

[@cesarcoelho7227]

Gay

[@jamescarpenter6585]

Cesar Coelho child

[@johnbuell8035]

Cesar Coelho you’re a twat

[@stephenreeds3632]

Great runner but an arrogant bloke. Would it have killed him to acknowledge opponents?