The Improbable Victory of Runner David Wottle

American runner David Wottle pulls off an unexpected victory in the men's 800-metre final at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games.
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The Improbable Victory of Runner David Wottle
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[@sabineb.5616]

Dave Wottle ran the race of his life! And his victory is so inspiring because he was and still is a very ordinary but decent guy. He never had the charisma of Steve Prefontaine or the iron will of Frank Shorter. But Wottle nevertheless managed to achieve something quite extraordinary, and his race has not been forgotten after all these decades!

[@Tiburon876]

Of the two mentioned ... WOTTLE had Tamed and trained VICIOUS REGIMENT to his STYLE...CROSS THE LINE LINE FIRST.. inconspicuously.. indeed where did he come.. strictly BUSINESS ETHIC.. LIKE NO OTHER.. AMERICAN RUNNER..EL GUARROUJ..WAS LIKE THIS ON THE WORLD SCENE

[@MartinJG100]

I think it is the lack of 'charisma' that makes him and his achievements so special.

[@sabineb.5616]

@@MartinJG100 , ha,ha, that's an interesting pov 😉 I am German and I was a young girl in 1972. The German reporters actually favored Dave Wottle because he had already come from behind in the semi-finals as well. Because of his hat he was easily reckognizable and the German tv-reporters were convinced that Dave Wottle would pull it off again. And Wottle didn't disappoint them 😉 But he cut it mighty fine! He was almost too late.

[@MartinJG100]

@@sabineb.5616 A lucky hat indeed. I think it was the peak on his cap that crossed the line for gold :).

[@sabineb.5616]

@@MartinJG100 😀👍

[@patrickhull9231]

No matter how far behind you might be, you're in the best possible position for an epic comeback. Don't quit.

[@marknewton6984]

Wottle! An epic.

[@davidschmidt7761]

He was Never behind hehe

[@uncleronny6748]

Watching this race many times since I was a kid...it never gets old.

[@laudarevsonhunt]

Saw it when it happened when I was 14. Watch it every couple of months, still the best race I've ever seen. Dave you are an American hero.

[@peterpiper831]

laudarevsonhunt Check out Auckland 1990 Commonwealth Games men's 5000 metre race

[@MrJohnr47]

This race got me interested in running.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@makingit7792]

@@APBCTechnique it was not luck. Russian dude would not Have won anyway

[@marknewton6984]

Me too at 14! Hurray for Wottle!

[@aok_fan]

Had the pleasure of working with him in the mid 80s. Great guy, very humble.

[@BlairDaly]

Fantastic!

[@ynikshia5986]

the very reason he was crowned the winner.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@1101grayzer]

That happened in the first half-lap. It didn’t lose him the race.

[@ThatGuy-ot9uv]

I remember this as a 7 year old. It inspired us to have running races around our block. All of us wearing whatever hat we had...mostly baseball caps...pretending to be Dave Wottle at the Munich Olympics.

[@neilsnow8820]

Yep; Wottle made it fashionable for ANYBODY to wear ball caps, not just our Midwestern farming brethren.

[@melfisher1683]

I was also 7 years old when this happened. My Dad thought Wottle was a goner after the first lap but Dave proved him wrong.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@ThatGuy-ot9uv]

@@APBCTechnique Pffft. He should of been smart, like Wottle, and hung back out of trouble. He can't blame his loss on something that happened in the first 100m of the race, and had no significant impact on his position.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

I watched this live in 1972. It was hard to believe.

[@virolo1960]

You had to be in Munich to see it live. In the U.S. it was on tape delay.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

It may have been tape delayed, but the media hadn't announced the results, and so it was as good as live. I watched it as a kid.

[@user-gy9dx7eu1y]

Dave was such a humble winner, exactly how a true champion should act after winning. Hat off to you Dave.

[@bradyh2440]

One of the best moments in US track and field history, by far

[@Gunbei2]

Absolutely agree. I watched the race on ABC in 1972 during the Munich telecast and the call by Jim Mckay and Marty Liquori has been etched in my mind since. I was able to find a replay of the race a few years ago and it was a thrill to relive the moment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a32rmpdjo6hna80

[@liner011f7]

Agree, love watching this race. I see something new everytime.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@johnpaulrichardmuller2560]

@@APBCTechnique watch again. It's different.

[@larrymead151]

​@@APBCTechniqueWell boo friggin hoo.

[@runninggirl2765]

Once in a while, you see something that just stirs your heart and you feel anything is possible. Thanks Dave.

[@jogman262]

He forgot and left his hat on during the playing of the National Anthem. Later he said, "he felt sick about it." You got us Gold, we'll let you slide Dave.

[@ethanennis8]

I didn’t even notice, and definitely don’t care, so what you want Dave

[@Wired4Life2]

I'd like to think that that cap was as much a part of his body as his gold-medal feet were.

[@melfisher1683]

Dave said he wore the hat for good luck. His Coach told him to take it off, but Dave refused. And the rest is history.

[@jonmajarucon51]

Yes, I remember that. He was so remorseful....Aw heck....all is forgiven. We loved Wottle!!!!

[@user-vt7fl8zr5n77]

​@@Wired4Life2 amazing...

[@bosshadowrock]

Dave Wottle spoke at my high school in the mid 1980s, and shared this footage via a film projector. When everyone in the auditorium saw the halfway mark in the race, they started laughing at his position. What a kick! Great speech and great guy!

[@bookablespider6208]

I met him at school today! He is so cool. One student in my class is his grandkid

[@andreIVINHEMA]

he was very determined and lucid in strategy and it worked very well , 1972 was the year I was born 👏👏👏👏

[@angeloborreggine4820]

I love this race so much. I watch it every time it pops up in my feed. I wasn't even born when this happened but it still gives me goosebumps every damn time. Dave Wottle is a legend.

[@elma2824]

This give me chills Have watched it a dozen times thinking he might end up losing. Incredible"kick"

[@jeff_r517]

So glad this is saved for posterity. I remember first seeing this, & it has kept me watching over and over ever since.

[@stevebrady7935]

I'll never forget watching this race this race that Summer when I was 12. Greatest track comeback!

[@tulsa980]

The most inspiring race I've ever seen. What a memory for all of us who watched it happen.

[@percyfree9831]

Such a fine race,paced perfectly & got clear runs without going wide

[@jimcram3650]

I saw the race live and was in awe. Now i watch it a couple of times every year to remind myself to never quit. To hear that he's a good guy makes it even better. Every time I watch the race I'm convinced through the first lap that there is absolutely no way he'll get the gold. A great, inspirational race by a really good guy. It just doesn't get any better than this.

[@HIBERNIAN04]

My favourite race of all time. Dave Wottle was amazing

[@adolfosanchezcalderon8645]

Me encanta este momento de la historia del atletismo . Es como si el tiempo se detuviera . La constancia y la perseverancia de un hombre contra todo pronóstico ✌🏻

[@JBWALTON57]

Remember the trials when everyone said he wouldn't make the team. My favorite track star. ... the finishing kick and the hat.

[@jimpowell2296]

I saw Dave Wottle win that race on TV. It was one of the greatest comebacks in Olympic history. I remember him in that hat. I was fixated on him because I wanted an American to win. I thought on the second to last turn as he began to climb into the race, he might medal as he was moving well. The explosion in the last 60 meters was extraordinary. As a man who is rapidly closing in on 80 it was a grand race.

[@jimrooney8131]

My go to video when I need motivation. He ran a smart race! When Arzhanov made his move towards the end it cleared the way for Dave to begin his come from behind strategy . Did I see it right? Dave Wottle you are a hero and awesome!

[@APBCTechnique]

No you saw it wrong. Look again. Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race making up that lost ground. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@AllinGold2]

@@APBCTechnique Pretty sure we saw it right. Arzhanov moved too soon. If he had simply waited till the turn, he would have won, because he had the best kick in the world at the time. The bump didn't help him, but it wasn't enough to cost him the race. He made a tactical error.

[@larrymead151]

​@@APBCTechniquewhy don't you post the time that this invisible huge bump happened so everybody can have a good laugh.

[@RavishingSailor]

Damn what a kick. A golden era for track n field. To bad I wouldn't be born for another 4years.

[@shanbogart4157]

There was no Kick!! He ran an even split.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@patricialeusing1083]

@@APBCTechnique not luck at all. He stayed out of the fray, ran his race. Ran even splits!!!

[@skygrey7237]

The most inspirational race of all time.

[@jphickory522]

Watched him win this race when I was 9 years old. Inspired me then and it still does. When I need motivation to keep believing in the dreams of those that I love..... I watch this video

[@jimrooney8131]

Like you, I watch Dave win! makes me want to win!

[@ARCSTREAMS]

never give up hope for dumb luck

[@medivoctor]

First inspirational. Just showed it to my 6yr old as I taught her a lesson about never giving up.

[@crcr1]

Yes! Also she might like to see the Heather Dorniden race, Heather trips and falls but gets up and keeps running. Very inspirational as well.

[@ARCSTREAMS]

@@crcr1 did you see hassan tripping ,falling ,getting back up to still win the 1500 when she was far behind ?

[@aslanaslanbey006]

Fantastic, Hero of the Olympic history

[@CN-xt7hj]

I never get tired of watching that race...he ran his race...greatest race of all time...in my humble opinion...

[@curtisbyrd423]

I watch it everyday ........for inspiration

[@peterpiper831]

C N Men's 5000 metre race 1990 Commonwealth Games Auckland

[@peterpiper831]

Paul Kryder It doesn't matter what level, even local athletics, if a race is exciting - it's exciting.

[@marknewton6984]

The Best. Go Dave!!!

[@leyendasdelfondismo]

I've seen this race dozens of times and every one seems more fascinating

[@kevindean1327]

This is the single best foot race I've ever seen!!!

[@3in1god]

Love this! What a beautiful humble patriotic guy!

[@revpgesqredux]

@Gary Faircloth Why not sophomore?

[@williammann2088]

100% guts by Dave Wottle of BGSU and the USA

[@careyc7414]

Having followed track most of my life I was too young to remember 72. I stumbled across this KZbin & am sure glad I did.

[@jesuniki4640]

From Spain, I was 8 and admired the runner with white cap. Incredible race.

[@lbjones8983]

I saw this real time on TV. Greatest race I have ever seen!

[@MrSupernova111]

This is one of my all-time favorite races.

[@Stripeyperch]

Victories dont come much sweeter than that, what a legend 👏

[@marknewton6984]

Sweet! Go Dave.

[@SurferKenTV3]

Goes without saying, to any family members of Dave Wottle…your dad/granddad/great grandfather/uncle/brother, is an absolute legend. He will be remember.

[@elmerolea5227]

Que carrera para más conmovedora y emocionante.Una verdadera demostración de entrega y lucha contra uno mismo.dejo hasta las últimas moléculas de su cuerpo .La mejor remontada de todos los tiempos.

[@thomasdekkers517]

I thought about this race, which I saw live, when Femke Bol finished the 4×400m relay in Budapest

[@jamieseiple]

I remember this well as a kid. They called it "The Wottle Kick" he was a hero.

[@Fortnitefan111YT]

One of my favorite races of all time.

[@merv1256]

just so awesome . man i keep watching this over and over . vids like this is why KZbin is so awesome

[@careyc7414]

Now that was inspirational!

[@kidintown1]

What a great moment for David and the US.

[@joedrumer9029]

This man in the cap is Absolutely brilliant 😄

[@jezrock7087]

I’ve watched this video many times! Always inspirational and a fabulous pick me up when life gets a little tough! Thankyou Dave W 🙌

[@hakanerdogan7004]

Muazzam ve örnek bir yarış. Taktik, kendine güven, ciddiyet. Sporculuk. Teşekkürler usta Dave Wottle. -A huge and exemplary race. Tactics, self-confidence, seriousness. Sportsmanship. Thank you, Master Dave Wottle-

[@wacobob56dad]

Remember watching this as a kid with my father yelling “c’mon hat, c’mon hat”. Good memories. Side note: he later said he forgot he was wearing his hat when he received his gold medal.

[@Nicksonian]

Watched this race live in 1972. I followed Dave Wottle to Bowling Green State University three years later. He, of course, was legend there. I have been running/ jogging for nearly 50 years, and every time I go out, I wear a ball cap and think of Dave.

[@Jeanemilr-hn7tj]

C' était 'hier', Comment L' oublier. Magnifique.

[@gregweber5553]

One of the great track and field races of all time! My brother was a teammate of Wottle at BGSU.

[@iconadams]

"Stand by for the kick of Dave Wottle. If he's got it he could make it; but he's got to catch Arzhanov and the Kenyans...AND HERE HE COMES! This is the bid for a gold medal of Dave Wottle. He's got one Kenyan. He's got the other. Can he make it? I THINK HE DID IT! DAVE WOTTLE WON THE GOLD MEDAL!"

[@timgulstine2767]

that... was a great call by McKay

[@shanbogart4157]

No Kick!!! He ran the same pace from beginning to end!!!!! Such a smart runner.

[@APBCTechnique]

There was no kick, just even pace running by the American and others slowing down. Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@iconadams]

I beg to differ. There was a kick by Dave Wottle. The Russian burned himself out and Wottle, who was known for his kick, caught him in the end. You're taking a great moment in American Sports and trying to make it sound like a tragedy for the Russian runner who lost. Tough loss, I know, but he lost fair and square to Wottle, who in the end ran the best race. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding; meaning, Wottle captured the gold.

[@APBCTechnique]

@@iconadams *look the race again and be objective. Without being fouled by the German the Russian wouldn’t have burned himself out getting his position back again. Without the 2 bumps the Russian would of won by 5-6m, the American only won by misfortune of the Russian only. There was no kick, no kick at all just a regular even-pace while the others slowed down. Very lucky for the American and unlucky for the Russian. I’m not American or Russian I’m objective running enthusiast. It was a fluke race unfair race, the German should have been disqualified, but came last, so it doesn’t matter*.

[@rajenhazarika1431]

So inspiring story ever seen !!! Great victory!!

[@kevinanderson522]

I remembered that as if it was yesterday, and who can forget Jim McKay

[@unclekennymusic]

"The kick of Dave Wottle" The ABC announcers were Jim McKay and former middle distance runner Marty Liquori...

[@BillMorganChannel]

Did Liquori try to qualify for the 800 and fail? He was incredible.

[@jamesythetrue]

He was so far behind in the first lap that the commentators thought he might be "seriously injured"...and then he won. This one and the Heather Dorniden race are both just unbelievable.

[@johnbarroll1120]

a lesson for all mankind: never quit

[@mannyf782]

A masterful race plan, perfectly executed. Still gives me the chills watching this race, 50 years later [and counting]!

[@marknewton6984]

Timeless!!

[@Runinfox]

WOTTLE and Billy Mills 10,000 meter are the TWO most inspiring AMERICAN WINS---go see Billy Mills the Buffalo Runner and His stupendous comeback Victory for the Lakota people also..GREAT

[@RaquelSilva-de5wv]

Palmas... Para esse vencedor, o segredo da vida é... Nunca desistir

[@jonpogoda8797]

If u run too fast too soon, you get too tired too soon. Dave didn't bite when the leaders did, he had th e confidence in his kick to run his race. Poetry in motion, beautiful.

[@realplastering5794]

Respect Dave Wottle. The bests ever.

[@tennisace40]

He is a legend.He looked strong in last place then turned it on.

[@kttrouble7053]

Go Dave !! Great race-- outstanding individual.

[@davidbraxton5110]

Each time I watch this race,it gets better all the time.

[@tonymercer7759]

Never never never give up !

[@msarmar1905]

Es la remontada más impresionante que he visto en mi vida. Los últimos 90 metros son un acto de fe

[@arizjones]

Not sure why this is so "improbable" . Wottle was the world record holder for the event at this time after running a 1:44.3 in Eugene Oregon on 1972-07-01. It looked unlikely during the first lap but once he regained contact with the pack, he had a good chance. This happened in the summer between my Freshman and Soph year of high school. I ran over 1000 miles training that summer. The 1972 Olympics was a big motivation for me.

[@stephenmccollum1391]

One of my favorites

[@bear1568]

I'm sooo psyched!

[@cka2nd]

I could swear I've seen Wottle win a race from even farther back. Someone mentioned a 1500 against Jim Ryun below; would that have been televised? Or maybe the Olympics 800 qualifier? I'm just positive this is not the only Wottle race I saw on TV back in the day where he won after starting out way behind.

[@hughbiggins4339]

He always ran at the back of the field. His finishes were known as 'Wottle's Throttle'.

[@cka2nd]

@@hughbiggins4339 Thank you. I thought that was the case.

[@mankokennewick5802]

Back in those days the Olympics were great! But now all we get to see is gymnastics

[@MrSupernova111]

Gymnastics has been ruined. Watch the gymnasts, especially the girls, from '72 and '76 and compare it to the muscle heads from today's era. The gracefulness is gone.

[@christinacascadilla4473]

Yeah, back then the Olympics were great, at least when terrorists are not killing people like here in Munich in 1972, the police are not killing demonstrators in Mexico in 1968, the Nazis were not using them for propaganda purposes, or they were not being used as a tool to keep athletes as amateurs so the people doing the actual work and bringing in the spectators wouldn’t never have to be paid. Gezz. The Olympics were never great. It’s just that you were younger and unable to realize the flaws. The Olympics are just a huge nationalistic (expletive deleted) show they hold every four years. Being a world champion is much more valid. Being an Olympic champion is all about timing. If those Olympic Games were held in 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, and 1990 you would have completely different Olympic champions. If your peek comes two years before or after the Olympic games, you’re just out of luck. Like Prefontaine in 1972. Or remember the great crop of marathoners in 1982? They were all has-beens by 1984. The Olympic Games were never great, and the people on the International Olympic Committee are no different than organized crime bosses.

[@elpena7547]

@@christinacascadilla4473 The Olympics were great back then

[@christinacascadilla4473]

@@elpena7547 except for all the bad stuff. I’ll admit, the 1972 Olympics would have been great except for the murders, the fraud in the basketball tournament, and the officials refusing to put Jim Ryan in another heat after he was tripped, which is a rule now.

[@vince065us]

He and Billy Mills are two of the great darkhorse stories in Olympic history.

[@APBCTechnique]

Unlucky for the Russian who got illegally bumped by the German running into the Russians lane. The Russian lost 6m and that lost him the race. Watch the Russian next time, it was unlucky for the Russian and lucky for the American.

[@thomas1630]

@@APBCTechnique Not at all, first of all he had a 20 yard lead on Wottle at the time, secondly he tried to make a illegal lane change and no one bumped him, infact he pushed someone in the back, He lost no time at all. How did it benefit Wottle? When you refer Wottle to "the" American Hmm

[@brettldouglas]

Wottle tied the World Record in the Olympic Trials. He was one of the favorites to win.

[@marknewton6984]

The two best!

[@danmimis4576]

As a professional quitter this is something that raised some questions in my universe ..

[@pedromorales6017]

Magnificent

[@randysandberg5615]

I remember this like yesterday.

[@Stacie45]

He left his cap on during the National Anthem, reporters asked him what he was protesting. He said nothing, he was just so nervous he forgot about it.

[@jstar3387]

Crying my eyes out!!!😭😭😭❤❤❤

[@nevergiveup-eg1io]

thats insane... wow!

[@mikenealon4042]

perfect timing.

[@mjkobylski]

Be prepared, you never know when your opportunity will arrive. Dave was prepared and at the right time with the right effort and a once in a generation moment. U S A.

[@christopherlerude4]

I love the comment someone said on this race on a video I watched a few years ago. He looks like he just got done mowing the lawn lol

[@cesarcoelho7227]

Amazing .

[@englishman1960]

the perfect 800m race

[@jameseberts3347]

Dave Wottle - The Secretariat of middle distance runners.

[@jorgefundora897]

I have lost the count of how many times I have seen this video 😅

[@gregoryklein2608]

My inspiration...9/20/20....walked and jogged 1/4 mile. 1st day back. Ran a 10k several years ago. Way out of shape ..keep you posted on progress. Went to school in Canton about the same time DAVE did. In my seventies ..so here we go.

[@gregoryklein2608]

9/21...first full qrtr 5min...eventual goal under 10 min mile.

[@luvsilly60]

He and Shorter stole the show

[@Runinfox]

A Rush every time I see it

[@koolkat2722]

Phenomenal

[@DickNasty480]

What a stud. Dude never gave up. I watched this as a kid and was amazed at how he won this race from last place.

[@nickjohn7208]

Wearing golf cap on the stand !! But he still stood, place his hand over

[@ken8467]

I remember this race well. He always wore that hat!

[@shahidmir6815]

Never give up 💪

[@VADELMAHILLO-cw7jm]

MY IDOL