Saïd Aouita (1500m) vs. Steve Cram (mile) - 1987 Bislett Games

[@felroberto]

What exciting times!. Said Aouita was the pionner of the great moroccan runners in all distances. I remember that gold medal and olympic record in LA 1984.

[@David-be7jn]

Yeah he avoided coe and cram in 1500

[@redrum4100]

@@David-be7jn And Ovett.

[@martynhanson]

@@redrum4100 Yes, obviously he didn't know Ovett was going have the problems he did.

[@moroccoforever7092]

Aouita & Steve Cram are friends ...Cram was invited in Said Aouita,s villa in Casablanca 🇲🇦Morocco...

[@david2804me]

Whaaat? The commentator said Aouita ran the 1500m in this video in the equivalent of a 3:45 mile ie faster than the then world record of 3:46.2. For those of you not familiar with athletics, the commentator is talking nonsense. The conversion time between the two events at world level is 17 seconds...and before anyone starts to argue that it doesn't take as much as 17 seconds to run 109 metres, please think this through carefully first to save us all a little bit of time. Aouita's 1500m time of 3:30,69 was equivalent to a mile in 3:47.69.

[@prentishancockgardening]

Aouita's best by this time was 3:46.76 for the mile which he set only 2 days before this run. So he was perhaps a bit tired in this event and slightly under-performed. I broadly agree with your conversion, perhaps 15.5 - 17 seconds. Overall, Aouita, and Coe, and Ovett, and Cram, all under-performed in their era and now realise it, despite having broken all the records they achieved. Cram admitted as much when he saw Mo Farah run 3:28.8 in Monaco in 2013.

[@Anthony-Testicali]

​@prentishancockgardening Farah had better footwear,better tracks,better physio and science and sports nutrition

[@david2804me]

@@Anthony-Testicalirelevance???

[@ctenterprises134creech7]

I love this channel and the older Track vidoes of my favorites. Thank you!👏👐🏃‍♂️

[@amethystiummamethystiumm6212]

Aouita is the one who advice the great El Guerrouj to switch from 3000 m to 1500 m. Both were great..

[@sympaticoo1]

Amethystiumm Amythystiumm from the 5000 to 1500

[@alansamuel2454]

El Guerouj, Noah Ngeny ,Steve Ovett, Steve Cram, Seb Coe, Bernard Lagat, Herb Elliot, John Walker, Noureddine Morcelli and Said Aouita were the greatest middle distance runners of all time in no particular order.

[@albardsahd8104]

What about Pavoo nurmi

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

Coe is number 1 in his era. None of the others you mention could match his records, wins or ability to win a race any which way. Don't get me wrong the others were magnificent but Coe is the best of all time based on the criteria above!!!

[@Kryptonien99]

Neutral Observer. Nope , El Guerrouj is the Greatest of all time. 3:26.00 in 1500m is absolutely unbeatable for a very long time. Sebastien Coe has no records anymore. Aouita was also way better than Coe

[@alansamuel2454]

@@Kryptonien99 Nah I personally believe Coe was better than Aouita. Maye personal preference but whatever.But Aouita was had a wide range and was way more versatile. But yeah no doubt EL G is the GOAT.

[@alansamuel2454]

@@albardsahd8104 He was one of the first great runners of all time. He was unique, revolutionary and very very intense in his workout schedules. But he is another decade altogether . To draw comparisons between him and El G or any of the others here is just not possible.

[@simonsedwards1513]

I wish cram had gone through 1200(3 laps) in 1985 in 2:49 he would have run 3:43/3:44!!!!!!!! 61 last lap!!!!! He didn't realise how ill he was but still cram plugged on, what a brave man a True LION!!!!!!

[@chloefitzpatrick6894]

You mean 51 second last lap!!!!

[@itprouk3685]

Said Aouita is a great champion from a nation of champions

[@hassanamahrouch4591]

الاسد رضع حليب البزولة او عاش بالخبز ديال الزرع ماشي حليب الفرماصيان او البيسكوي او الخبز ديال الفرص.تبقى داءما اسطورة منقوشة بحروف من ذهب يا عويطة

[@jimbar64]

Great video, thanks! Any more Aouita/Cram coverage that's not yet posted would be great!

[@gakaface]

Wow! Steve Cram was magnificent for the first three laps. But oh did he die on the last lap! Over 60 seconds! Golden opportunity missed and a real indicator of the end of his reign at the top.

[@keithbate9405]

Cram was never the same after 1986. He lost his finishing speed. I presume he picked up some kind of injury, and never fully recovered.

[@darrenshaw767]

@@keithbate9405 I think he was constantly plagued with calf problems. I remember Seb Coe being interviewed after the 87 world champs 1500 metre final where Cram finished 8th that Cram should get a full medical.

[@keithbate9405]

@@darrenshaw767 Cram won practically everything between 1982/86 including taking the 1500m and Mile World records, except for the Olympic title in 1984. Where Coe beat him. But I remember he had been injured over the winter months and missed most of his training. he did not even think he would make the Olympics. Coe was a great runner but missed so many major championships. Cram won far more titles at 1500m and even 800m. I am sure Cram had he been 100 % would have won that 1984 Olympic title too. Cram was finished at the top level after 1986. Coe had another Two good years. he most likely would have won the 1988 Olympics if he had been selected (Steve Crabb anyone ???). Coe ran around 1.42.7 for the 800m around the time of that Olympic 1500m final. Not sure that medical would have done much. His time had sadly gone. But what years he had in 1982/83/85/86 etc.

[@darrenshaw767]

@@keithbate9405 valid points but I don’t believe if Cram had been 100% in 1984 he would have beaten Coe. I still think Coe had more in the tank in that final.

[@keithbate9405]

@@darrenshaw767 I think you underestimate how good Cram was in 1982/83/85/86 at 1500m and the mile. When Cram broke Coe's world mile record at Oslo (85) Coe could not cope with Cram's sustained burst from before the bell. His best time over a Mile was nearly a second quicker than Coe's. His fastest time at 1500m was also 0.1 sec quicker than Coe's best ever 1500m. A big gap at that elite level. Coe was quicker at 800m for sure. But Cram to me when 100% had the besting of Coe at 1500m and the Mile and proved it conclusively that evening at Bislett (85).

[@danbotez1307]

Great runs, but the fact is that the mile run has become a relic just like the British Empire. In the last 15-20 years nobody has taken the mile seriously. All top athletes have concentrated on the real thing: the 1500 meter race.

[@Alex-pr6zv]

This is not true. Do some research. It's still massively popular indoors in the USA for example.

[@danbotez1307]

@@Alex-pr6zv It is true at the world level. Of the 195 countries in the world only the US, Liberia and Myanmar don't use the metric system. For all the exceptionalism expressed in declaring the US "the greatest country on Earth", US remains the only developed country that has failed to adopt the metric system. Exceptional alright, but not in a positive way. As for the example you provide (i.e., indoors in the USA) it is an exception that reinforces the rule, since no matter how massively popular in the US no other country holds indoor mile races. Also, please note that at the annually held World Athletics Indoor Championship only 1500 m races are being contested.

[@hafidmostarhfir2245]

Steve cram running is a beautiful sight

[@psychodelicjoey6710]

I love how Marty Liquori talked about the 4 minute mile and didn't mention that he broke 4 in high school.

[@APBCTechnique]

Cram in full flight in 85/86 was a marvel to behold. The best ever and would challenge anyone round today.

[@APBCTechnique]

Firsthgyhgyhuy Lastujhujhuj research cram in 85/86 amazing speed endurance of last 300m.

[@Kryptonien99]

APBC Technique and UK Osteopathy Nah he was steps behind the great Aouita

[@APBCTechnique]

David Cohen Aouita was on HGH steroids

[@APBCTechnique]

Yes Cram was the best in 85/86 his speed endurance was incredible - these years Coe would not beat him at 1500m - I don’t think anyone could

[@Kryptonien99]

APBC Technique and UK Osteopathy You’re a funny guy , because at the time British and East Germans athletes were well known for abusing steroids.

[@jasonstewart2656]

Wow Liquori is right - never seen Cram struggle so much in the final lap - he must have only been a fraction under 60 seconds there - crazy to think he was almost 3 seconds slower through 1209m in '86 and ended up running 4 seconds faster!

[@Fogon59]

Gan on Crazza bonny lad!

[@mambogal1]

Let's not forget Filbert Bayi of Tanzania.

[@199019852007]

Was the East German on that special brew they were using in East Germany back then.

[@martydav9475]

Undoubtedly.

[@hakimderrazi2264]

3wita a dépassé le monde reste grand sportif pour toujours

[@Trigger_000]

*"He was way below world record pace but he couldn't hold it." WTF? American commentors are pants.*

[@peters6119]

So stupid that the two top athletes in the world at that time come to a meet and run in different events. Cheated the fans out of an actual race.

[@mikenealon4042]

what a night a bislett

[@paulfhoffman]

Good run by Abde Bile.

[@andrewallen1083]

83--86 cram glory years

[@warrencundy]

How about Peter Snell mate 3 Olympic Gold Medals multiple World Record Holder last man 2 win 800/1500m double at the Olympics he is in there 5 Major Races won them all no one else has a comparable record ever

[@archiewoosung5062]

Lousy commentary....interesting to see who finished behind Aouita

[@gakaface]

In third place was Steve Cra...bb!

[@felroberto]

It was Mamo Wolde from Ethiopia

[@elyacoubioussama9897]

Aouita carl Lewis serge boubka usen bolt. for me is the greates athlets all the times

[@Mohammed-kn5cm]

مقارنة صغيرة بين الگروج وعويطة الكروج 1500 عويطة جميعها من 800 حتى 10000

[@koulchibaghi]

El guerouj. 1000. 1500. 2000. 5000.

[@Kryptonien99]

Jamal elghazi el guerrouj 7attam 1500 wel Mile w double Mile a 7nini

[@Kryptonien99]

Jamal elghazi je suis né en 1966 , donc permet-moi de te dire que je connais les deux athlètes Aouita dans les années 80 et el guerrouj de 96 á 2004. El guerrouj a dominé les courses de Demi-find comme ne l’a jamais fait Aouita qui lui évitait toujours de tomber sur le britannique Steve Cram

[@AbdouAbdou-dx6pz]

راك جاهل يا أخي سواءا عويطة او الكروج فكيلهما أسطورة زمنه الكروج له ارقام قياسية ل 1500 والميل و 2000 متر لحدود الساعة وله دهبية المبية ل 5000 متر وفضية بطزلة العالم . صحح معلوماتك أضف اليه خالد السكاح من 1500 متر للميل و 3000 متر و 5000 و 10000 والسباق على الطريق و اختراق الضحية هؤلاء هم قادة الثلاث لالعاب القوى المغربية

[@AbdouAbdou-dx6pz]

@Jamal elghazi أنا جاوبت على قد المعلومة المنشورة قاليك هشام عندوا غير 1500 وعويطةوكلشي وقلت هذا غلط حتى الكروج سيطر على مجموعة من التخصصات وما قلت سعيد عويطة لا قلت كدالك الكروج يعني بجوجهم إمتازوا بالسيطرة على مختلف المنافسات . لدالك لا يجب التبخيس من عطائهم كلهم سواءاوهشام ولا سعيد ولا السكاح كلهم ابطال ممتازون جدا ولا يجب النقص من انجازاتهم .

[@LPCLASSICAL]

Another hapless pacemaker. I did not see the first lap time but it must have been well inside 55 seconds. Cram died terribly in that last 50 metres maybe an indication of the WC flop to come.

[@mathematics5573]

if he'd run to 1200m 3 seconds slower, in 2:52, he would have run 3:47/8 probably. when he ran his WR and 3:48 in 1986 and 1988 and 3:52 Iin 1983 against Ovett, he went throgh 1200m slower and had more kick on the final lap of each of those races. He said this himself in the interview..

[@mathematics5573]

he suffered more injuries

[@LPCLASSICAL]

I need to correct myself. Looks like Mays for once did his pacemaking job well with two fairly even laps and Cram had the perfect chance to run 3.45 but clearly he was not in 1985 form and died on the last lap. BTW the 3.30.4 that Auoita ran is not, as the commentator said - equiv to a 3.45 mile. It is more like a 3.48 mile.

[@simonsedwards1513]

Stuart steve cram had kidney stones removed a little while after this, he was suffering all year from it but didn't know!!!!! Check it out yourself!!!!! It destroyed his season and could have seriously been life threatening!!!!

[@simonsedwards1513]

Stuart steve cram did not flop he had injuries plus kidney stones!!!!!!!!!

[@redd605]

Coe and overt both had injury hit season , but both defeated cram in 1985

[@badrhari1554]

D best

[@habibdlima3256]

Tutti quisto tutti per mmonahh

[@abderazakelbaha7240]

Kůže. Po ii Tzv

[@drrsc]

There is no question Said Aouita was a great runner, very versatile, but he was no kicker by any stretch of the imagination. But then neither were El Guerouj, Ngeny, Lagat or Morcelli. These runners, El Guerouj, Ngeny, Lagat, Morcelli and Aouita could all do a good last 500 or 600 meters. But they would have been at the mercy Ovett, Cram or Coe, assuming they were in their prime.

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

Coe was the master. He could sprint off a fast pace with 250 to go and then go even quicker with 100 to go. He absolutely destroyed fields and was poetry in motion!!!

[@saadel8129]

I don’t know what shit you’re smoking on spare time dude!! If Ngeny the world record holder of the 1000m, Aouita who use to run the 800m easily in 1:43, and El Guerrouj the GOAT running the last 800m of a 1500m race in 1:46 and Morceli’s last 400m in 50.4 sec not kickers you’re out of your mind lmao 🤣

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

@@saadel8129 No he's absolutely right, they weren't kickers. Where he's wrong is including Cram. Cram couldn't kick either. Coe and Ovett however could just wait and wait till 200 or 150 or 100 to go and then simply run away from a field. The other runners mentioned didn't run that way!!

[@randyevermore9323]

Nah, Morceli was a great kicker. In the 1993 WCs, he put down a 50.? last 400 to finish off a 3:34 and leave Fermin Cacho in his dust. In other words, he outkicked an Oly gold medallist who had made a career as a kicker.

[@KryptonitetoallBS]

@@randyevermore9323 A last 400 isn't a kick. That's stamina. A "kick" is when they are close to home and one runner destroys the field by a sudden "KICK". If you want to see examples of that, just watch Coe and Ovett in their prime!!!