Dave Wottle - The Greatest Comeback In Athletics History? | Throwback Thursday

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At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, US-American track athlete Dave Wottle performed perhaps the greatest comeback in athletics history in the 800m run. After the first 400 metres, Wottle was still in last position. However, he then overtook all the other athletes in the last round and won Gold in front of Ukraine's Yevhen Arzhanov and Kenia's Mike Boit. Enjoy watching this epic comeback!
What is your favorite Olympic moment of all time? Let us know in the comments below and it might be featured in the next #ThrowbackThursday!
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[@Olympics]

What is your favorite Olympic moment of all time? Let us know in the comments below and it might be featured in the next #ThrowbackThursday!

[@MrNuts70]

As a Canadian its gotta be 1996 Donavon Baily for the GOLD!

[@MuneerAhmed-ur9bi]

Ali receiving his medal back at '96 Atlanta

[@ivanhoesanchez2606]

Bailey 🇨🇦

[@APBCTechnique]

The American won because the Russian got bumped & lost 6m

[@gregoryklein2608]

This one

[@morganwood2993]

He went to my middle school! We have a run dedicated to him!

[@snt2006]

What is that run?

[@jabbabbabba]

@@snt2006 the Dave Wottle run, of course.

[@snt2006]

@@jabbabbabba Yeah, I know that, but what do you do? Do you just run a normal 800 or do you do something else?

[@jmm1817]

@@snt2006 you run with a white hat on

[@scottbarnett8090]

I remembered watching this on TV. It made me tear up with pride! Miracle on ice and Dave Wottle are my fav moments!!

[@MoMoMyPup10]

I was 9 and I still remember it the same way. I would go out and practice the 'Wottle Kick' in my neighborhood. Do you remember Olga Korbut the same year? And the Men's basketball finals? And then Nadia in '76, and Dorothy Hammil also. Franz Klammer is #3 all-time most memorable Olympic moment. The 1980 hockey team was HUGE! But my favorite happened in 2002 when Sarah Hughes won the gold. Being also from Long Island, it was special. I've never been more happy for an athlete in all my life.

[@JosephDungee]

He was SO Relaxed during the whole race and just blew past ALL of those runners locking up.

[@annoyed707]

One of those moments that show the original Olympic spirit.

[@gareth7016]

Imagine that quiet kid waiting for everyone to tire out then throw down a killer kick

[@thegreatgazoo7579]

Trouble is, that isn't what happened! He himself later said that they simply out-ran him at the start, he couldn't keep up!

[@gareth7016]

He walked off after the race like a savage

[@steveestes4013]

I was 12 years old when I saw this and it inspired me to become an 800 meter runner.

[@mjkobylski]

Bingo. I was a 9th grader running the 880 then too.

[@steveestes4013]

@@mjkobylski Yep, it was the 880 yard run back then!

[@HarryD738]

I was a few weeks shy of my 12th birthday and it inspired me to wear caps as a fashion accessory.

[@mtsflorida]

Inspired me even more because I was a semi pro golfer from 3 yrs earlier as I turned 13. Track though was my passion.

[@cgsather3309]

Me too, I was 12 and went on to run 800 in high school. I don’t know if people realize the effect that Dave Wottle had on the rest of the world, at the height of the Cold War. He personified the laid back, unselfconscious, anything goes American attitude with his oversized cap, loose clothes and gangly windmill physique. This in contrast to the tightly controlled behavior of every other nation, not only the Soviet block ones.

[@georgep9059]

Omg he ran the perfect race he ran his own race☺️☺️

[@Mons223493Chase]

A kid I’ve known/been friends with for like 7 years is the grandchild of this dude! His name is Ethan Wottle

[@lauragilloon633]

Looks like he paced himself. That was awesome to watch.

[@ralphshelley9586]

He was trucking!

[@tenerife-man]

He never gave up, but was determined to do his best no matter what position he finished the race in. This is what you call RELAXING and RUNNING YOUR RACE. Just great!

[@Paul-ew5st]

The race is only 800 meters why would he give up?

[@virolo1960]

Not exactly how Dave Wottle tells the story

[@mtsflorida]

I was MVP in track at my California high school that year and seeing that was the most beautiful run. But also even better that week was lasse viren when he was in last place at the start and fell half way through only to win. He went on to win that an the 5K and repeated in '76. Only person in history to win the double double and it started with a fall.

[@wilhelmw3455]

Very good quality upload I would love to see more from the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich.

[@hoganfan924]

This is one of my earliest Olympic memories. What a thrill, as the '72 games were overall a low point for American track & field. For excitement, Franz Klammer's '76 downhill run (and Bob Beattie's call) is hard to top!

[@abevillanueva1974]

This is the BEST clip of this classic race! You can hear hear the crescendo of the people as they came down the stretch; like I was there too!

[@yuckyool]

I remember watching this when I was 13. I was a terrible short-distance runner, but I could hold my own at 2 miles+. So inspiring!

[@kimc2853]

He had an injury just a few weeks before and was unable to train. He was hoping to just not get last place. Then as the race went on, he was just hoping to get third.

[@Marc-NZ]

Who ever ran 800 and 1500m race, knows that it Wasn't a comeback but a perfect strategy plus outstanding performance..he knew what he was doing the guys that went crazy at the beginning didn't.

[@markchandler7089]

Distance runners learn pace. All but Dave Wottle forgot pace in the excitement of the Olympics.

[@musicfan1517]

I saw this as an elementary schooler and it's still the most exciting big track race I've ever seen...There was an indoors track relay a long time ago, 4x400 probably, early on one guy dropped the baton, picked it back up, his team actually made up the entire distance and won by a similar margin at the finish to Dave Wottle here. Was probably collegiate at least, as it was on TV back when cable TV wasn't even popular yet.

[@jeal551]

ABC was doing the Olympics that year. I remember watching this when it happened with Jim McKay and Marty Liquori calling the race. Their commentaries made it even more exciting!

[@steveestes4013]

I agree totally.

[@trwent]

Except for McKay pronouncing “Kenyans” as “KEEN-yans”.

[@PaulFurber]

Love this race for many reasons but the optical illusion of his kick is the best. He ran 26 point something for every single one of his 200m splits.

[@randyratliffe9435]

NEVER get tired of seeing this!

[@jessculp7943]

I still consider this the greatest feat in sports history...Mr Dave Woddle heart of a champion

[@ross1880]

Billy Mills is my favorite Olympic moment!

[@joelwillems4081]

@@ross1880 And not in small part for the excited American announcer. I don't know if it was true or not that he was sent home after that outburst of non-partisanship but it was worth it.

[@CBS70s]

@@joelwillems4081NBC fired him for yelling on the air: “ LOOK AT MILLS! LOOK AT MILLS!!”. Can’t say I would have called the race any different. It was an exciting finish.

[@brajesh.7195]

He's the perfect example of slow and steady wins the race. 🙂

[@GeomancerHT]

This is not a comeback, this was his strategy, don't downplay it...

[@tjackson76c]

but he came from the back

[@joelwillems4081]

@@tjackson76c He ran almost identical splits. The other runners just ran without such discipline.

[@laryjohnson5736]

He said that you never have a strategy that includes you getting 10 meters behind. It was a comeback.

[@darbyheavey406]

No one speeds up at the end of a competitive 800 M…..Dave was on pace throughout and ran his race.

[@laryjohnson5736]

@@darbyheavey406 It depends on the pace.

[@Philiia]

Two things about this race which I never tire of watching after 50 years. Dave kept his head very still which would have been easy to spot with his iconic cap on. The other is he won 🏆

[@WELLBRAN]

No wasted movement, all movement had a reason. Also he knew which runners to monitor when they made a move on back straight he reacted kept in touch but he was reading it from behind lead group he knew exactly where he was at any time boxers call it "ring generalship"..after he held out a hand to bout..who did not want to know..but 373 in that race came over to shake his hand...why?...373 watched that whole scenario from behind ..he knew it was outstanding..so he shook his hand

[@MrNuts70]

Dude wore a hat! He is a savage for sure! Awesome race! Ohhh and 800 views as I write this WOW!

[@cellobus2961]

The hat won...

[@elvirgil3588]

Una obra maestra del atletismo: sangre fría, seguridad completa en sí mismo, y el poder para atacar sostenidamente desde los últimos 200 sin entrar en pánico ni acelerar descontroladamente. Un grande de los 800

[@jm1657]

I just learned about this feat today. INCREDIBLE!!!

[@memoredspectrum]

Lasse Viren run in 10000m race was good too.

[@edwinbest9256]

Reminds me of Secretariat. Last to first!

[@rustytime]

You know that guy in the lead was thinking I've got it. I'm winning... Wait...NNOOOOOooo! That was too cool!

[@TheIsagregorio]

I watched this in 1972.

[@joeysatriani4983]

Its incredible. Everone must watch it !

[@annoyed707]

Galaxy Quest: Never give up. Never surrender.

[@nitinsharma77777]

Wottle The Warrior.

[@paul-vt3rt]

I was in Basic Training st Fort Dix New Jersey when I watched this race All alone. I was cheering with a lump in my throat. I will never forget Dave . I think I remember that he was so taken by his victory that he forgot to remove his hat while standing on the podium for the national anthem.

[@thomaspeiker5577]

Unfassbar wie geht sowas und ohne Doping, Sir Dave Wottle 👍🏆

[@KWizard__]

My track coach said I reminded him of Wottle. I was 5'-5" in a race with guys 6' plus. Just when it looked like I don't have a chance. Last turn was mine.

[@vdevarajanolympicboxer.6086]

Great Race

[@BKKGarrett]

Lol! He didn't even seem that excited to win! Ho hum...

[@leviwundling8804]

Wow!!!

[@philipmcluskey6805]

beautiful

[@kevinporter7752]

I watched this. Inspired me to begin running. I even wore a Dave Wottle hat. I was 14.

[@homerjones3490]

I remember watching this

[@s7centnickel915]

It was amazing how many people started wearing hats after this!

[@randyratliffe9435]

I ran middle distance in high school, the biggest hurdle is the mind, if you can make yourself do it, you will!

[@randyratliffe9435]

Don't panic, ever!

[@mylifeisJDM]

I feel for the Ukrainian (red singlet.) He put his cards on the table and attacked with more than 200 meters to go. He didn't look back, you just can't in a two lap race. He could see Gold in his sights, that is until Wottle showed up in his peripheral at the very last few meters. If that ain't a heartbreak Silver medal.

[@roberthudson1959]

He hadn't lost a race in years, but lost this one by not sprinting through the tape. Track coaches across Ohio (Wottle's home state) used this race to teach their distance runners that they needed to be at maximum speed when they crossed the finish line.

[@AllinGold2]

@@roberthudson1959 Arzhanov lost because he kicked too soon, a tactical error. He normally didn't kick until the final turn. He must have panicked a bit knowing Mike Boit (Kenyan) was ahead of him.

[@Finarphin]

The 1960 race (Snell) was an even bigger heartbreak. Strange things happen in the Olympics.

[@littleo353]

A great run. I think the key moment, in two respects, is when the Russian runner moves quickly on the backstretch to move and Wottle follows that lead. This position him nicely AND the Russian put in quite an effort a bit too early - just enough for him to tie up in the final 10 meters or so. It was meant to be.

[@DDPYogaBoomer]

I always ran with a hat after this

[@sachinsiwach5425]

This shows that we should never give up.. Losers of mind are victories of Hearts...

[@mikhaelis]

This dude didnt comeback. He put on a show. And it eas spectacular. At the end while everyone else was used up, he wasnt even breathing hard.

[@williams.vincent4235]

Last place with just over a half lap to go and he may of thought "I got them just where I want them".

[@TheCdecisneros]

Star of David in the timer.

[@jleo5898]

H.S. runner here; the 800 might be the toughest race (repeat, might). It's not a sprint, it's not a long, settle-in pace race. It's a bit of both -- and I don't know about the rest of you runners but it was my greatest challenge.

[@ivanhoesanchez2606]

Epic

[@MarkKanaster-ev6pq]

Greatest ever 😊

[@andrewharrington6953]

Wouldn't call it a comeback, more like running his own race tactics.

[@hydrastan4344]

Na there’s a vid where Dave explains what was going through his head. He really was behind.

[@jessculp7943]

Uh.. remember these are the top runners in the world

[@Paul-ew5st]

@@hydrastan4344 He always ran from the back of the pack

[@Paul-ew5st]

@@jessculp7943 Wottle tied the world record a month before the Olympics he was the fastest guy in the field

[@peterbilt37042]

Wottle was my hero

[@RasikRajguru]

Thank you, so you much. Though sadly, you can hear the crowd. But not the commentator. I was in London, UK at the time. Watching it on BBC or ITV. It could have been a replay later on with commentator going from steady plodding to almost hysterical as the race progresses to the finish. Time before VHS video recorders. They came out in 1976. If memory serves it became a like trade mark. I recently heard he had tendonitis prior to this race. I didn't know at the time. Even now during the race and after there did not seem any sign of it. At the end of the race, you see the athletes puffing and gasping for breath. Wottle, just strolling casually around as if he had just been for a walk in the park. Making the others guys look rank amateurs. Classic, James Bond, 007 type style.

[@richstrobel]

If we include horses Rich Strike is up there. Epic comeback. Team sports in the postseason the 2004 Red Sox.

[@damuhongmaldita]

In the end, he looked like he can do the race again while everyone else is spent.

[@mahtabuddin9749]

Never lost your hope

[@personone6881]

HOW is “Wottle” not a by-word for “Throttle”?

[@govind7368]

He's competition with himself ☺

[@RobertChris_Obi]

With a hat on💀

[@babylov3r]

From the last to gold medal. The greatest comeback in Olympic history❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@WELLBRAN]

It was not a comeback! That's nonsense he knew exactly what he was doing .he was one of the favourites . The title of this video is WRONG

[@laurent7549]

Le plus beau 800 m de l'histoire

[@franklinbumgartener1323]

I just like how he forgot to remove his hat.

[@JL-ec1by]

Bowling Green Falcons in the house!

[@michaellincoln2117]

My memory is he did not kick, I believe I read somewhere that he even splited while everyone slowed down. Although relatively speaking i guess thats a kick.

[@asheru9254]

What's a kick?

[@steveestes4013]

Right, his splits each 200 meters were pretty even. He was more of a miler. He said they took off so fast on the first 200 meters that he couldn't keep up.

[@fredgrosso7927]

After seeing this ad I will never use grammarly.

[@roberthudson1959]

According to the European coverage of this race, Wottle only won because the leader fell. As an American and fellow Bowling Green State University alumnus, I wonder what race they were watching because it wasn't this one.

[@gyanvardhanparihar2336]

Wooahh

[@jondeere5638]

Dave Wottle was newly married and he brought his wife with him. And everyone said that was a mistake because she would weaken his legs. But Dave always had that amazing kick at the end of a race. Maybe he was just on a hurry to get back to his young wife?

[@RasikRajguru]

Are there other races by Wottle, where he repeats similar performance?

[@jontalbot1]

About 150 out he just went up a gear!

[@dariuszszumniak9065]

W takim sposobem biegł jak Paweł Czapiewski czy Adam Kszot i Marcin Lewandowski 😊

[@CBS70s]

Who?

[@PInk77W1]

Billy Mills 1964

[@jrsun]

He runs with a hat as well.

[@sacollectiblesii]

Enter femke bol 4×400W 2023. i wish someone could post last 100M of these two races side by side?~ lil bro

[@jeffrichardson6338]

The question is? Does he still have the hat? 🤷‍♂️. That hat would be worth millions today.

[@aishwarshukla5237]

I think it was more of a tactical choice and not a bad start.. So its not a comeback but a genius run

[@AnonymousAnonymous-jj8be]

WHY ARE DAVE WOTTLE VIDEOS BEING REMOVED?

[@blitztim6416]

He always wore that hat. They didn’t want him wearing it for the Olympics.

[@acemacgruber6593]

When was the last time you saw an 800m athlete wear a hat and calf high socks?

[@NoTaboos]

It wasn't a comeback!! He simply paced himself properly. All the others went way too fast early.

[@francisnguyen6349]

Is that comeback?

[@jimmybrice6360]

lets not forget about mr billy mills

[@antoineaustin9063]

What was up with the hat?😅 Has he ever explained this?

[@michaelballer2169]

🙌🙏🏼👏👏👏👍👍👍😎🥇🏆

[@hermecortes6080]

Cómo decía Tego Calderon; llegue después y como quiera tome ventaja..

[@wodantheviking]

Arzhanov, the Russian, had it in the bag. He did not run through the line.

[@kevinanderson522]

Where’s Jim McKay voice

[@user-en4sn5kv8m]

Аржанов рано пошел Уолт отсиделся и выстрелил ...

[@bluerfoot]

I feel sorry for the russian, he got clipped or tripped up twice early and broke his stride which ended up costing him the race.

[@joelwillems4081]

No, I wouldn't give the premise that you put in this title. He ran steady splits, 0:53 and 0:53 for each lap. It only appears that he put on a great burst while actually he just didn't fall off the pace so bad like the other competitors.

[@betobeto357]

El.representate de USA termino parado y el de la ex sovietica tirado al piso.

[@wolfliou3678]

Come back of flora gueye in Zurich 4x400 woman the greatest