Mary Decker 1983 World Championship 1500m-desktop

[@TheHololo]

When I first saw this video, I got chills. With 200m to go i got so nervous, I wished i would have been there to see it live. Mary Decker is really an inspiration to me

[@oxpack]

One of the best race finishes EVER especially in the cold war era. I show this to my daughter just starting track. Inspirational.

[@kennywilliams4346]

Please don't show ur daughter this. Mary was a cheater! Steroids

[@tylerbam7183]

@@kennywilliams4346 Who cares. Everyone in this race were on steroids. Like most 80s races. Mary was a doper who beat other dopers, she won fair and square, and I am not a Decker fan. Now some of the dumb individuals who say "Mary was clean and beat a bunch of dopers" are idiots. If anyone was clean of the top runners it was probably only Wendy Sly and maybe Dorio but none of the rest.

[@ernesttubb]

As a 15-year-old boy, this was the race that inspired me to focus full-time on running. I've been a rabid track and field fan ever since.

[@jimmason8502]

@@ernesttubb As a 17 yr old boy I was watching Seb Coe and Cram and Ovett and Salazar and Aouita. Women’s events were an afterthought. That is until I turned 45 and discovered women’s pole vault, long jump, 400m hurdles 😂. Those events weren’t “stacked”back in the 80s like they are today

[@Parker528]

@@kennywilliams4346 B**ls**t! Shame on you. It's well known that that test that you're referring to was a full 15 years after this occurred and Mary did eventually after several times of appeals was not found guilty of having taken steroids. And if anything and you want to point fingers you're clearly not up to date and knowledgeable on the state and Nationwide sponsored doping systems of many of the European block countries, specifically but not limited to East Germany and the Soviet Union. So if you want to choose your words wisely I wouldn't just pick a possible accidentally tainted sample that was taken by Mary slaney only once in a very long consistent and illustrious career rather than notoriously time and time again decades long circumstances of suspicions at which Eastern block women look like men which first mandated or made it mandatory that sex tests visual ones be given at European championships world championships and Olympic games and then the bar body genetic test and 68 up until the early ball late 90s or early 2000s. And furthermore we now know everything that East Germany did with regards to training with oral Toronto ball and they're brilliant but twisted medical doctor who figured out a way to make a synthetic testosterone that he could inject all of his athletes with right before they performed at Major meats that when broken down a metabolized did not metabolize into the actual drug it was. And that injection system was used from 74 through 1988. So really you want to call out Mary Decker for one issue I mean if there was a pattern if there was even a second accusation against Mary I would not respond in this manner towards you. But how dare you considering what we know about the press sisters of Soviet Union and the loads of East German women who have now life potentially life-threatening illnesses and issues because of years of forced state-sponsored doping systems

[@gailrodgers4434]

I talked to Mary about a month after this race. She said the Russian woman was elbowing her constantly; you can see Mary turn to her in the final lap to tell her to move out of the way. Then the Russian fell flat on her face, and Mary went up to her afterward and said "you deserved that!" Don't know if she understood English or not but she did deserve that and so glad that Mary won.

[@jmysterio100]

That's typical Decker. She always thought the other runners should just move out of the way and let her win. Doesn't work that way in international competition as she found out in the 1984 3000 final.

[@danbotez1307]

@@jmysterio100 Right ! In LA the better runner won in spite of the American media claim the Mary could have won.

[@htownhomie06]

i was a kid during these days and loved decker's frontrunning style.

[@jerryflex922]

Forget the 84 summer Olympics. She was in her prime here at Helsinki 1983. The very best in the world. The “Double Decker” Double (3000m & 1500m).

[@mstrunn]

@ST 23 That's correct, 13 straight wins, when Mary was healthy she was unbeatable.

[@gregoryvanhalen]

Mary Decker had more guts than anyone. She took some heat for crying in a press conference but when you dedicate your entire life to something and it gets taken away because someone tripped you, I’d cry too.

[@mstrunn]

@gregoryvanhalen Very well put!

[@jimmason8502]

Jim Ryun didn’t cry after Munich.

[@theAzsportsman22]

@@jimmason8502 Maybe not publicly but he might have privately.

[@OldBillOverHill]

@@jimmason8502 And Kerri Shrug did after she stuck that landing AHO. I'd like to see you do that.

[@skinnytinny9023]

If it's the incident with Zola Budd you're referring to then Decker ran into Budd, twice and then fell over. You can't trip someone who is behind you.

[@Wylde1966]

Thanks for posting the entire race. Mary has always been my hero and inspiration in my running. Thanks!!

[@vernonhendricks867]

Mary was amazing

[@munnikandy4154]

Mary was a little bitch

[@jimmason8502]

@@munnikandy4154 She was a total bitch on wheels, was rude and impossible to live with. Ask Ron Tabb. And she was a doper.

[@cintroberts6614]

She is absolutely amazing. Love her very much.

[@OldBillOverHill]

I remember watching this live.

[@tomschmitz261]

Sooooo exciting.... hypnotically great to watch again and again... well done america's greatest distance runner of all time, mary decker slaney!

[@SuperThunder911]

An amazing race, I loved watching Mary 💪❤️

[@raysalsa1]

@randydeanmaddox your right randy. she was hurt in 76 montreal and we boycott 80 moscow. she was in her hometown southern cal for 84 games. she was the best in world in 84 and every1 knows it. her career shouldn't be defined by an olympic medal. love mary's front running.

[@mstrunn]

+Ray, Great comment, some people are so clueless!

[@rcp1936]

One of the greatest last lap races ever men or women

[@fawltyoldboybasil.2178]

Just saw this fantastic race for the first time. WOW! Has to be one of the greatest!

[@michaeltorluemke3322]

Always loved watching her run. Always admired her.

[@alejandrocurado5134]

These races were not only sport competition but politics. That's why the soviet falls and jumps in the end. She gives everything to beat the USA but Mary was amazing

[@ernesttubb]

I can't believe it's been almost 30 years since this race.

[@simonedwards5564]

38 YEARS....AND COUNTING 👌👍💥😎😅🤣

[@giorgiocanaliwithlove1919]

40 years now...

[@hamish200sx]

"If they keep this up it's gonna be a foot race." Insightful.

[@jimmason8502]

American commentary was ignorant and ill informed, unlike British commentary which was insightful and entertaining.

[@davidbraxton1725]

Outstanding!

[@renefierro1167]

Ecxelente video fuerte cierre de Mary Decker

[@stephencarr743]

Mary Decker reminds of rocky in this race refusing to loose ...

[@mstrunn]

+Stephen Mary is the GOAT!

[@jimmason8502]

@@mstrunn How’s that?

[@jimmason8502]

Dibaba is the GOAT

[@Kidsgrove49]

Incidentally, there is a video of this race available with a British commentator. He captures the excitement much more and manages to remain neutral at the same time. This guy sounds like he's at the Ketucky Derby. Makes it better viewing with the sound off.

[@hakanhasancebi1178]

Mary The Legend ✌✌👏👏

[@GeoAce777]

Soviet runner hit the deck followed Mary Decker's GREATEST moment, completing the World double

[@ronaldfreeman4147]

G ft g Hughes 6 by by Hu Hu ft Hubbbbbbbbbbbbbhhhhg it Huu 7t Hughes Hu ugly Hu g66

[@runcaz7802]

"If they keep this up it's gunna be a footrace". Really now.

[@jeremyhomewood9573]

Fukkin shit commentary , absolutely Fukkin SHIT !!!!!!!!!

[@tylerbam7183]

@@jeremyhomewood9573 Who is that dumb bitch in the booth.

[@metsdudenj]

@@jeremyhomewood9573 I will add this was the first and last time Madeline Manning Mims was asked to commentate for a world class track.

[@bl3313]

As opposed to a boatrace?

[@gunternetzer9621]

@@metsdudenj She sounded very nice to me.

[@davidramirez4810]

40 years ago…..unbelievable.

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

The best American was/is will be the great Jim Ryun. Nobody , man or woman comes close to him. I truly belive he did not take drugs. About Slaney - Decker...She was a super talent who I watched running in 1971 at the SovietUnion - USA Track and Field meeting what was held in Leningrad (I think). Mary was 15 years old and she won the 800m race. I don't want to lie here, I think her time was 2:01.5 or something like this. That time was a world class time back then.

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

Correction: Not in 1971 in Leningrad but in 1973 in Minsk.

[@mstrunn]

+Jutka Not close to Jim Ryan? Mary set 17 official and unofficial World Records and 36 American records from 800 thru 10K, how close can you get? No one has had that range!

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

@@mstrunn , No matter how many world record Mary set around 4 minutes on 1500m and 4:16 on the mile. None of and all of Mary's running can not be compared to the Great Jim Ryun's 1500m record set when he was 19. 3;33,1 was the new record.60.5 158,5 2:55 were his 400m; 800m and 1200m time. For that he ran a 38.1 final 300m. Nobody ever was able to run the 1500m like that.

[@mstrunn]

@@xxthatpookieeditsxx That's one race and he is a man, Mary's record stood for 32 years, no comparison, could T&F experts be wrong? Mary was the greatest.

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

I don't know who was doped up and who wasn't. All I know is that distance runners need to be very light and smooth in their stride and Mary was both. She was the greatest runner of her time and one of the greatest of all times. And one more thing. I saw her race with Budd and Budd moved over slightly in front of Mary too soon after getting in front of her. Mary had nowhere to go. And anyone who thinks she was not in severe pain just doesn't deserve a response. I thought what happened was obvious. Mary was at the peak of her career and would have won the race easily. It is a hard thing to see your dream end that way knowing it was yours.

[@LPCLASSICAL]

I agree. Im British but it was Budd's fault for overtaking and then cutting in - making Mary check back slightly. Mary is now gracious saying it was just one of those things - but it was Budd's fault.

[@mstrunn]

+Green Best comment I ever read, and you are so correct, they both made a film together.

[@corymajor7811]

She was not the greatest runner of her time. She was the best only 2 years of her whole career- 1983 and 1985.

[@bluerfoot]

I'll I know is Mary did not look doped face or body. There are usually hints.

[@danbotez1307]

Maricica Puica was the favorite and she would have beaten Mary anyway.

[@renefierro1167]

EXCELENTE ES LA PALABRA CORRECTA

[@mikenealon4042]

mary always brought it

[@dalegallagher2739]

The Russians really have the finish line face plant down - remember Arzhanov in Munich 1972? But Zajtseva gets full marks!

[@davidramirez4810]

Mary was tough and all heart!

[@edjacobs6897]

I recorded this on VHS live , great run , never gave up . saw her run in Melbourne 1979? , maybe she was 18?

[@OldBillOverHill]

I have a few of her too. I ran at distance so I like her in the 3K but her skill in this race is something most don't appreciate. I also have a VHS of Kerri Strugg when she stuck that landing and Bella carrying her. I don't think people really appreciate the talent, guts and determination these women displayed. Those Soviets though, in all disciplines of athletics. Even in the 90's Romania and Poland were still kick butt.

[@vernonhendricks867]

Mary was the best, and she was the only formidable western force, way back then, against the drug infused eastern bloc athletes. And like a true champ she ran in front all the way. How difficult is that? Mary, a true champ. She just never gave up in this race, really amazing.

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

Vernon hendricks, I am sure she used some good stuff too.

[@LPCLASSICAL]

You mean among female athletes. Yes she was the only clean female athlete that could beat the drugged up soviet runners. Dont forget the eastern block athletes could not beat Coe or Ovett.

[@spectrum10]

She didn't run in front all the way. Not in this race.

[@mstrunn]

+@@xxthatpookieeditsxx Never proven and highly doubtful, not her way, if you have evidence to the contrary produce it or stay in your lane.

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

@@LPCLASSICAL, But she had too high testosterone to epitestosterone ratio. More than 6:1. So she was not so clean was she?

[@alansamuel2454]

She's still the 36 th best all-time at this distance.

[@64fairlane305]

dopers included

[@barryfrankwilson704]

when the russian gal took the lead she was really struggling within her form while Decker was still very smooth and efficient with her form and that is why she could run her down.

[@EdertheGod11]

These commentatotors are ignorant of the 1500m who cannot tell awomen's fast run pace from a slow one. The idea that you fall 10-15m behind over the last 100m to fool an opponent that you have nothing left ("no more gears") is absurd.

[@johnlvs2run]

Zeitsayva was not leaning there. It looked like she tripped or was tripped. Nice front running by Decker for most of the race.

[@zappadead13]

the pain these girls must be in MD is a rock star

[@mstrunn]

+Chris Queen Mary like Pre loved when the pain came, bring it on they said!

[@jimmason8502]

@@mstrunn Every decent middle distance runner learns to embrace the agony of the race lest they endure the agony of defeat.

[@muc390]

ironic, she beat Podkopayeva here, but the Russian beat her 14 yrs later at the world indoor championships to win gold at 45.... Decker of course lost that silver afterwards.... Zaytseva kinda panicked when she saw the American, probably thought she had this won...

[@juancarloscuba3644]

I remenber it!

[@OldBillOverHill]

I have a VHS tape of an interview with Mary when she was on the come back trail after giving birth. I still think she was one classy lady.

[@andreaselleri400]

Ha fatto una volata pazzesca!!

[@jondavwal13]

I remember watching this live. It was so satisfying. Funny how you didn't think you could hate Russians any more than you did then.

[@metsedudenj]

This was the first and last time Madeline Mimms was used as a commentator for jewel insights like that

[@greenwolfegreen6028]

I agree. She was the worst commentator I ever heard.

[@mstrunn]

@@greenwolfegreen6028 Why because she cheered Mary on and said she had to shift gears?

[@tylerbam7183]

@@mstrunn No because she is horrible all around. "The first 5 runners are all very quick over the last 200 metres." 1 of the first 5 was Wendy Sly who everyone knows is a good runner but has literally no finishing kick at all which was proven in the womens 3000 at the Olympics where she was leading with 200 metres left and Puica of Romania put a whopping 5 seconds on her in the last 200 alone to win easily. "If they keep this up, this is going to be a foot race at the end." No shit Sherlock, 7 womens about together with a lap to go, what else would it be. After the womens 3000 where Mary won over Kazankina "I think Kazankina made a mistake being boxed in before the last lap as I think that cost her a lot of energy to get out, that even when she got out she did not have enough energy left to pass Mary." Nobody chooses to be boxed in, sometimes you get yourself in bad position or boxed in near the end by either bad luck or poor tactics, or a combination of both, but only an idiot would say any runner chooses to be boxed in. Before the womens 400- I am sure Kratochvilova will be tired from her win in the womens 800 so the fight for gold will probably be between the other Czech, Maria, and Marita Payne of Canada." Kratochvilova winds up not only winning but setting a new WR, still 1 of only 2 women who has gone under 48 seconds. Yep she was too tired to contend Madeline alright, brilliant. "Dorio is fighting to get on the outside." She says that while she has a huge trip while already on the outside and falls from 3rd to 6th. The list could go on forever of examples but she is godawful. There is a reason this was her only event.

[@jimmason8502]

@@tylerbam7183 I always watched the Canadian or British commentary where actual runners or coaches did the commentary. Today we have Crammy and Tim Hutchings doing the analysis and they’re both amazing.

[@edbears5725]

@@tylerbam7183 In the 1500 they carried on as if boxing another runner in was a strategy. I have rarely seen a race where gaps didn't open up in the final stretch for people to get through if they have the strength left to make a move.

[@sleepyxxxtee4597]

It looks like Zaytseva landed on her face when she went down at the finish..

[@brandijade7063]

Badassery!

[@JohnHoulgate]

The Soviet girl kicked too soon. Played right into Decker's hands.

[@user-jg7kt2xc3d]

ルーマニアの、強豪、ドリナ、メリンテ選手も、いますよね。当時最強選手の一人でしたよね。

[@solomonorivo768]

Where was Zola Bud ?

[@jimmymack1973]

Odd how no-one went up to Decker to congratulate her afterwards.

[@mstrunn]

+James Because the Russians were in shock!

[@tylerbam7183]

Mary Decker was a nasty personality, even her fellow Americans at the time said so. That is probably why. Plus she was a big drug user, but then again all the top 8 runners in this race except Sly, Melinte, and maybe Dorio are doped as well.

[@gunternetzer9621]

@@tylerbam7183 Any evidence for this?.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Despite Mary's problems and disgrace at the Olympics the following year, and doping after that, this is a great race. Very exciting and a great win.

[@mstrunn]

+Phil Get you facts straight, why did she disgrace the Olympics because she had trained hard for 12 years and lost in a terrible way? Most athletes would have said worse and done worse, Fyi, her alleged doping test proved a false positive, she was reinstated and that test is no longer used, her birth control pills threw the results off, get your facts straight.

[@onlythewise1]

the first four was fast

[@musik102]

I'd love to see a head on shot of the finish. Did Mary touch the Russian? She seemed to be far too close for comfort.

[@mstrunn]

+musik There are head on shots and Mary never touched her, the Russian either tied up or mistook the finish.

[@rodneybernard1]

STUD

[@davidharris3914]

Being English people forget just how fuckin good Christina boxer was just unlucky to be in a era with unbelievable athletes and unbelievable drugged up fuckers, and the same goes for wendy sly she was proper class

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

Didn't she pushed the Russian woman down to the ground?

[@simonsedwards1513]

jutka No!!!!!!!!

[@xxthatpookieeditsxx]

Simons Edwards, I know, I was just joking.

[@tonydiaz2541]

I know what you mean. When Usain Bolt in 2011 at the World Championships jumped the gun in the 100m and than took of his countries singlet and threw it down on the track like garbage, my opinion of him forever changed. He disgraced himself and Jamaica with his display of poor and disgraceful sportsmanship.

[@jimmymack1973]

Yep, I get that. But a lot of Western athletes went past her too.

[@jnlargreg]

❤❤😂

[@kenweeden5639]

Those Russians couldnt tie Marys shoe laces

[@teicarus9751]

жалко что к советским спортсменам так бесчинно относились. бесспорно Decker хороша, но судьба её наказала в дальнейшем, и это справедливо. Сегодня это была бы дисквалификация.

[@summerchanel6691]

tei carus я знаю Замиру Зайцеву лично, она мой тренер, она рассказала причину Ее падения

[@coolvideos7777]

zola budd will only be remembered for tripping up the Great Mary Decker....

[@jimmymack1973]

And for four world records, and two world cross country titles.

[@runcaz7802]

coolvideos: That's a matter of opinion. I say Zola Budd is remembered for winning the World Cross Country Championships in 1984 in bare feet! So there.

[@runcaz7802]

James McLuckie That too, thank you.

[@jeremyhomewood9573]

@@runcaz7802 1985 AND/1986 !!!!!!!

[@jeremyhomewood9573]

Mary decked them then a year later got DECKED!!!!!!!!!

[@Kidsgrove49]

Well, no I don't agree. In Bolt's case he reacted in the instant of his disappointment. Sprinters live on a hair-trigger anyway. My feeling against Decker is that with time for further reflection she tried to justify herself further. Instead of reaching the right judgement, she preferred to wallow in a blubbering self pity, more akin to soap opera than a sporting dignity.

[@mstrunn]

+Kids Have you ever trained 12 years for that moment? I think not, many athletes would have said and done more than she did, stop bashing Mary, idiot.

[@Parker528]

@@mstrunn Mary didnt start running only after her parents divorce, maybe around age 10 or so???? 3 years later in a USSR vs USA dual meet she was our top distance female runner in pig tails at age 13 and got in a bit of an international incident unwittingly when the Lithuanian running for USSR tried to push Mary off the track........

[@Kidsgrove49]

It wasn't just her initial reaction, she went on National TV and put up a similar blubbering self-centred exhibition. It took her about 20 years to admit she was equally to blame. She's now banned for cheating, but (guess what) she denies it. Somewhat of a speciality of hers - denial.

[@mstrunn]

+Kid Get your facts straight dude, she was reinstated and elected into the Hall of Fame in 2K3, the test gave a false positive and that test is no longer used, stop bashing Mary!

[@danielyu6399]

There were 12 white girls back then , non of them was black , now there is almost no white girl in the game lol

[@johndoe-qg7jp]

Mary vs the commies🤣🤣 Unbelievable.

[@coolvideos7777]

Mary Decker was a studdette...man I don't care if she cried like a baby after falling in the race...In a recent video she says she would cry again if she had fallen and blame zola....Well I blame that goofy zola bud toooo. zola was an average runner who spoiled Deckers victory and glory that come with it.

[@jeremyhomewood9573]

Zola was not an average runner !!!! She was a phenomenal runner !!!!!!!!

[@jeremyhomewood9573]

14:48 !!!!!!5000 metres world record holder (1985) and 2000 metres world record 1985, two cross country titles BAREFOOT !!!!!!!!!! 1985- 4:17 mile still stands as UK record !!!!!!! First to Run under 4:00 for1500 m UK record !!!!!! Indoor 3000m world record !!!!! 2:00*8 for 800 metres !!!!!!!! had to deal with very, ANGRY Anti-apartheid movement gatecrashing Zola mid race stopping world class performance's !!!!!!!! Average runner ???????? Can you run 14:48 for 5000 metres !!!!!!!! Mary was a studdette??? ZOLA was also a very VERY attractive woman !!!!!!and a truly wonderful, FANTASTIC LEGENDARY heroine !!!!!!!

[@runcaz7802]

coolvideos7777: You have a strange idea of what constitutes "average." Zola Budd (who you referred to as "average") won the most difficult to win race on the planet, the World Cross Country Championship TWICE, in 1985 and 86. In order to win that race one needs to beat the top 12 runners from all participating countries, whereas in the Olympics it's only the top 3 and they are divided into several races. Average MY ASS.

[@runcaz7802]

Jeremy Homewood: Thank you Sir.

[@muc390]

Zola, average???? LMAO

[@metsedudenj]

LMAO but its spelled "jizz"

[@ald4425]

The lady commentator is soo annoying.

[@Kidsgrove49]

Her finest moment on track. Before she disgraced herself and America with her shameful display of poor sportsmanship in 1984. My good opinion of her was lost forever, and my loyalty transferred to the elfin beauty of Zola Budd. :-)

[@mstrunn]

+Kid Once again you are full of crap, most athletes would have done worse, she spoke out of emotion, not being a world class athlete you would know nothing about that would you?

[@Marchjoy1963]

Some average runner she re-wrote the world junior record book, won the world cross country championships more than once, set world records. What did the Decker do.. took drugs to win her world championships, not that other women weren't on drugs too.. but that is something that Zola Budd never stooped to !

[@mstrunn]

+March You are so misinformed, what did Mary Do, are you kidding me? Try 7 World Records, 13 American records, 2x World Champ and she never took drugs, prove it, stay in your lane dude!

[@RBB1965]

U r an idiot!

[@123jogger123]

Cheating doping women - so sad :-(

[@jmysterio100]

Watched the race live and I admit I thought there was no way Decker would run the Rooskie down. Personally however, Decker is kind of a shit. Never fancied her.

[@runcaz7802]

"If they keep this up it's gunna be a footrace". Really now.

[@jeremyhomewood9573]

Mary? Did you deck,er ??? (At 5:22) yep, the Russian got DECKED alright !!!!!! Brilliant !!!!!!!

[@TheMrKobeBryant2012]

Commentators are geniuses. Lol