Daisy wrote:200m and Ceremony? Is that Smith, Norman and Carlos? .
Yes it is, i've clarified now
I've combined 200m and medal ceremony as they go hand in hand, despite the 200m being a standout it gets added kudos because of what happened after
The medal stand was my No1 and how so many people can have ignored it totally is beyond me. It's not only the best Olympic moments it's one of the best moments full stop of the 20th century.
The fact that i met Tommie Smith and John Carlos last year and Mr Smith signed a poster of this moment, to me makes it even better
At the end I got into a bidding war with a tv weather girl but but there was not a hope in hell i wasn't getting my hands on it. It's framed on the wall next to my bed and is my favourite thing in the world, it makes me cry
he signed it to me, it says
'Faith, Tommie Smith Mexico City, 1968'
I've also got these, just look at how totally maze they are, they're signed and they have black power fists all over them
jazz, can I share a jazzcyclist/John Carlos moment? Last summer at the OT some of us were sitting outside the Wild Duck having a beer and burgers when gh pointed to three trim, older-ish salt-and-pepper looking guys standing across the way and said "There's Carlos" (or maybe it was "There's 'Los"). In an instant, jazz was focused on 'Los like a extremely well-trained hunting dog on the point. I even have a (slightly blurry) photo of jazz in that moment, right before he went to get HIS camera and go over to meet the man and get a few pics. Truly one of his heroes, as he mentioned in another thread last year. Can't remember who the other two gentlemen were....former national HS HJ record holder?
PS Has the image uploading function here ever been reactivated?
mump boy wrote:The medal stand was my No1 and how so many people can have ignored it totally is beyond me.
Maybe most voters are just too young to have experienced this. This applies to me, who was four at the time.
Moreover, I think I recall we were encouraged to send our lists even if we do not have time to consider them so carefully. So what I did was mostly collecting moments that popped into my mind from those Olympics I had enjoyed live (though I added a couple of earlier moments that seemed especially impressive sportwise, such as Bikila and Nurmi).
Daisy wrote:200m and Ceremony? Is that Smith, Norman and Carlos? .
Yes it is, i've clarified now
I've combined 200m and medal ceremony as they go hand in hand, despite the 200m being a standout it gets added kudos because of what happened after
The medal stand was my No1 and how so many people can have ignored it totally is beyond me. It's not only the best Olympic moments it's one of the best moments full stop of the 20th century.
The fact that i met Tommie Smith and John Carlos last year and Mr Smith signed a poster of this moment, to me makes it even better
I don't think I voted for it as it's not my favourite. It's one of the more important historical moments and one of the biggest, but not my favourite. This is sport and I enjoy the sport most of all.
Last summer mump and I went to see John Carlos talk at a cinema near the Olympic stadium. We got there early and nabbed seats right in the centre.
Big Mistake!!!
We went for athletics/Olympic reasons as in our head that's why he's famous but most of the people in attendance saw him as a political figure and an icon of the civil rights movement. Once he started talking he didn't stop for about an hour and a half. He'd be asked a question and then give a long, rambling stream of conciousness in reply, jumping all over the places, making little sense and never getting anywhere near giving a coherant answer. I had literally no idea whta he was going on about. The audience sat there rapt. Hanging off every word and when given the chance asking sychophantic questions about how inspirational he is.
It was torturous. The Olympics were hardly mentioned. I would have left but sitting right in the middle of a row facing Dr Carlos it was impossible. Mump kept nudging me as I fell asleep 4 or 5 times.
By the end local people with causes were trying to get him to sign their petitions and support their fights with the council about housing issues. I just wanted to shout.
'Why did you run such a terrible race and lose the silver medal???'.
We went to a similar event for Tommy Smith a while later which was 100 x better.
Those three are among my picks. Lewis was already written off by most people. Not medaling in 95WC and barely making the team in 96. I think that one leap in Atlanta made him a much bigger legend. (On a side note, the agony of Powell lying on the pit after his final jump was an equally lasting image.)
Hicham v Kip was the greatest duel I have seen in a middle distance race. Kip is one of my all time favorites, but I was happy for Hicham on that night after the disappointment in 1996 and 2000.
Coe v Ovett was my #1, I think. This was one of the first things I checked when old track races became available on web streaming (even before I ever heard of YouTube). The race itself was not great, but the fact that Ovett first won the gold in Coe's best event made the race really interesting. Imagine what would have happened to Coe's career had he lost that race.
Hicham v Kip was the greatest duel I have seen in a middle distance race. Kip is one of my all time favorites, but I was happy for Hicham on that night after the disappointment in 1996 and 2000.
I had Flo Jo, Coe v. Ovett, and EL G on my list, with Lewis LJ feat as an honorable mention.
Others have given great reasons which I shared. I had El G's race at #5. With so many close calls and then the epic close win in this race, this was one of the great races in the history of the event. Two of the GOAT for the event coming down to an epic battle in the stretch. Guts and long last glory for El G. It doesn't get any better than that.
Ovett upsetting Coe in the 800 and then for Coe to return the favor in the 1500 when most probably expected Ovett to win was on par as well. Great Drama. Great T&F memory!
I had this, this was the first Olympics that I really remember and Juanterena seemed like a man among boys. Much like Bolt now.
I had this as well. One of my earliest memories. Of course I was hoping Wohlhuter would win and was left in awe of Jauntarena. Seems like we shared a lot of the same picks.
Jesse Owens was one of mine. After I'd got into athletics, and was reading up on the history of the sport, this was always the big, historic event, even above Bannister's 4 minute mile.
As I grew older however I understood more and more what a great achievement this was, and the significance of a black athlete being the star of the Olympics held in the Aryan homeland in the Nazi era. At that point I realised that Owens' accomplishment transcended both his sport and indeed the Olympics themselves. This was why Carl Lewis could never match him - even by winning 4 golds, he was still only beating his competition, and not racism itself.
Jesse Owens will be remembered long after every other name in this poll fades from the world's memory.
Jessie Owens 4 golds 36 63 points (includes 100m victory)
The 1992 hurdles was extraordinary. I remember watching it on the TV in my bedroom, wondering whether Devers could go a 12.3 and having been surprised she had won the 100m. Bizarrely I recall thinking - literally - that it would be crazy if she fell or something, because she seemed such a shoe in.
Patoulidou's celebrations were fantastic and went on for an age. The exiled King (Constantine) of Greece was in the stadium going mad as well. I recall her being delighted after getting 3rd in the semi to make the final so winning must have been crazy. I don't think she ever ran a hurdles race again (though she made the Atlanta LJ final).
Tolbert had a whole host of wins on the circuit that year and looked good for a medal but clipped the 9th (I think) and just missed out. Great memories.
Rog wrote:Jesse Owens was one of mine. After I'd got into athletics, and was reading up on the history of the sport, this was always the big, historic event, even above Bannister's 4 minute mile.
As I grew older however I understood more and more what a great achievement this was, and the significance of a black athlete being the star of the Olympics held in the Aryan homeland in the Nazi era. At that point I realised that Owens' accomplishment transcended both his sport and indeed the Olympics themselves. This was why Carl Lewis could never match him - even by winning 4 golds, he was still only beating his competition, and not racism itself.
Jesse Owens will be remembered long after every other name in this poll fades from the world's memory.
A qualifier here. I am sure that many participants (myself including) voted only for persons (events) they witnessed rather than of what they know from history. Owens, Nurmi, other pre-WWII legends would receive many more votes otherwise.
Pego wrote:I am sure that many participants (myself including) voted only for persons (events) they witnessed rather than of what they know from history. Owens, Nurmi, other pre-WWII legends would receive many more votes otherwise.
I was comparing my top twenty athletes from last year, to my top twenty moments, and I am biased towards events I actually saw for the latter. That is the nature of this poll. The only moment on my list that I did not actually see was John Akii-Bua's WR from 1972. All of my picks, except for three, are 1980 or later.
Comparing my two lists, it is interesting how different they are: For example, Akii-Bua is one of my top Olympic moments, but I didn't have him in my top twenty athletes. For my top twenty athletes I had Kip Keino, Mary Rand, Don Quarrie and Peter Snell. A year later none made my Olympic moment list. Actually, only four athletes made both of my lists, Steve Ovett, Daley Thompson, Michael Johnson and Joaquim Cruz.
Disclaimer: Don't look for any internal logic in my picks.
I had this, this was the first Olympics that I really remember and Juanterena seemed like a man among boys. Much like Bolt now.
I had this as well. One of my earliest memories. Of course I was hoping Wohlhuter would win and was left in awe of Jauntarena. Seems like we shared a lot of the same picks.
I had him as well. Through my 10 year old eyes, he had everything: the long socks, the coolest strip (especially the Cuba logo). the awesome stride length and even a nick name - White Lightning!!!! Athletics inthe UK in the mid-70s was particularly unglamorous. There was a period when a domestic race over 800m couldn't be held without the presence of Ray Smedley. Alberto Juantorena was my antidote to Ray Smedley.
Flumpy wrote:Last summer mump and I went to see John Carlos talk at a cinema near the Olympic stadium. We got there early and nabbed seats right in the centre.
Big Mistake!!!
We went for athletics/Olympic reasons as in our head that's why he's famous but most of the people in attendance saw him as a political figure and an icon of the civil rights movement. Once he started talking he didn't stop for about an hour and a half. He'd be asked a question and then give a long, rambling stream of conciousness in reply, jumping all over the places, making little sense and never getting anywhere near giving a coherant answer. I had literally no idea whta he was going on about. The audience sat there rapt. Hanging off every word and when given the chance asking sychophantic questions about how inspirational he is.
It was torturous. The Olympics were hardly mentioned. I would have left but sitting right in the middle of a row facing Dr Carlos it was impossible. Mump kept nudging me as I fell asleep 4 or 5 times.
By the end local people with causes were trying to get him to sign their petitions and support their fights with the council about housing issues. I just wanted to shout.
'Why did you run such a terrible race and lose the silver medal???'.
We went to a similar event for Tommy Smith a while later which was 100 x better.
Sport isn't everything. I think you are being extremely short-sighted about Carlos and his impact beyond sport. The same would go for Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson or before being discredited, Lance Armstrong and his work with cancer. It might seem trivial to die-hard sports fans but questions about LIFE can be more important. (i would have asked about Norman if anything, but i wouldn't have slammed the people who wanted to ask about the other stuff).
Up to that point, this was the saddest, most gut wrenching moment of my young life. Still can't bear to watch it.
Ok, please elaborate on that for a moment? Were you a Coe hater? If so, why?
Most people (and I'm talking about the general public, not just athletics fans) in the UK were firmly on the Ovett or Coe camp. Even now, anyone over 40 can tell you who they supported. I loved Ovett but must admit I truly disliked Coe as well. My perception was that he was smug, overly serious and very much an establishment man. It didn't seem a coincidence to me that people I disliked in the media and the playground (which made up most of my universe) were fans of Coe.
I have huge admiration for what Coe has done for British sport since but there's still something about him that rubs me up the wrong way. (Clearly, this says more about me than him!!)
Back to that 1500, I truly believe Ovett was still the better 1500 runner at that stage in their careers. Most of you will have read marknhj's account of Ovett's celebrations on the night of the 800 and I think that explains a lot about his motivation and physical readiness for the 1500! (But, clearly, I am biased.. .. .. .. ..)
Up to that point, this was the saddest, most gut wrenching moment of my young life. Still can't bear to watch it.
Ok, please elaborate on that for a moment? Were you a Coe hater? If so, why?
Most people (and I'm talking about the general public, not just athletics fans) in the UK were firmly on the Ovett or Coe camp. Even now, anyone over 40 can tell you who they supported. I loved Ovett but must admit I truly disliked Coe as well. My perception was that he was smug, overly serious and very much an establishment man. It didn't seem a coincidence to me that people I disliked in the media and the playground (which made up most of my universe) were fans of Coe.
I have huge admiration for what Coe has done for British sport since but there's still something about him that rubs me up the wrong way. (Clearly, this says more about me than him!!)
Back to that 1500, I truly believe Ovett was still the better 1500 runner at that stage in their careers. Most of you will have read marknhj's account of Ovett's celebrations on the night of the 800 and I think that explains a lot about his motivation and physical readiness for the 1500! (But, clearly, I am biased.. .. .. .. ..)
I was at Crystal Palace in 1990 (was it '90) when Coe ran his last race. The whole crown stood to cheer except for my mum who stayed in her seat and loudly proclaimed
"i'm not standing for man, i can't stand him'
I was never keen Coe, especially when he became a Tory MP but i must say my attitude has softened after his rather amazing exploits over the past few year. I'm rather a fan these days
I think the clearest illustration of the distinction between Ovett and Coe came in what they did with their 800m medals. Coe received his looking like he's been handed a turd, as Clive James put it, and kept a sour face through the ceremony. When Ovett got home, his gave his medal to a child who had a serious illness. Ovett was generous whilst Coe was utterly ungracious. It's easier to like Coe now but in his heyday he could be hard to take to.
Rog wrote:I think the clearest illustration of the distinction between Ovett and Coe came in what they did with their 800m medals. Coe received his looking like he's been handed a turd, as Clive James put it, and kept a sour face through the ceremony. When Ovett got home, his gave his medal to a child who had a serious illness. Ovett was generous whilst Coe was utterly ungracious. It's easier to like Coe now but in his heyday he could be hard to take to.
Interesting. My perception from this side of the pond was that Ovett was the elusive stand offish kind of guy. Made for great races in the rare times they did meet, the 1980 Olympics being two of the best.
odelltrclan wrote:My perception from this side of the pond was that Ovett was the elusive stand offish kind of guy
I could have written what John wrote above.
I think the perception of Ovett being stand offish comes from the fact that he did not like, or want, to talk to the press. But he was definitely the more popular of the two in the UK.
batonless relay wrote:Sport isn't everything. I think you are being extremely short-sighted about Carlos and his impact beyond sport. The same would go for Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson or before being discredited, Lance Armstrong and his work with cancer. It might seem trivial to die-hard sports fans but questions about LIFE can be more important. (i would have asked about Norman if anything, but i wouldn't have slammed the people who wanted to ask about the other stuff).
HUH??? I'm not slamming anyone
It was us that misunderstood his place in the public's conciousness. With the event taking place right next to the Olympic Park and the games about to begin we'd assumed that would be the main topic of conversation but it wasn't at all. This of course could still have been an interesting evening had any of his answers lasted for less than 20 minutes, taken any form of linear narrative or for that matter made a blind bit of sense.
Rog wrote:I think the clearest illustration of the distinction between Ovett and Coe came in what they did with their 800m medals. Coe received his looking like he's been handed a turd, as Clive James put it, and kept a sour face through the ceremony. When Ovett got home, his gave his medal to a child who had a serious illness. Ovett was generous whilst Coe was utterly ungracious. It's easier to like Coe now but in his heyday he could be hard to take to.
Of course, if 1500m had been the first race and Coe had unexpectedly won it, he would still have been ungracious, and Ovett would have been generous with his silver (or bronze) medal, right?
odelltrclan wrote:My perception from this side of the pond was that Ovett was the elusive stand offish kind of guy
I could have written what John wrote above.
I think the perception of Ovett being stand offish comes from the fact that he did not like, or want, to talk to the press. But he was definitely the more popular of the two in the UK.
It seems to me Ovett was hugely difficult, though it was all beforemy time Ovett seemed to have the slight rebel rep despite beinging an arrogant sod. That Ovett used to wave to the crowd mid-race and it resulted in this:
eldanielfire wrote:Ovett seemed to have the slight rebel rep despite beinging an arrogant sod.
I never really viewed his antic as arrogant at the time. Possibly naivety on my behalf. I clearly remember the waves at Crystal Palace, they'd make the crowd erupt. I seem to remember the waves disappearing when the record chasing began. The pre-record chasing Ovett was more fun, for sure. He was a racer and not really a time trialer, that all changed in 81.
I just looked at the link. Sure, he lost to Treacy, ran like a dope, but that was an end of season race, possibly the last of the year? He was enjoying the crowd, as the crowd was enjoying his appearance. I wonder if he had anything other than a good laugh about it?
Interesting to note that the uploader who writes
Arrogance Personified:.....Steve Ovett (GB) with an overbearing display of superiority and self-importance, loses because of sheer arrogance
Then writes:
He had just won the 1500m Olympic Gold in Moscow and had numerous other titles to his name including many World Records
My sense is that this individual has an axe to grind and has no real knowledge of Ovett.
Rog wrote:I think the clearest illustration of the distinction between Ovett and Coe came in what they did with their 800m medals. Coe received his looking like he's been handed a turd, as Clive James put it, and kept a sour face through the ceremony. When Ovett got home, his gave his medal to a child who had a serious illness. Ovett was generous whilst Coe was utterly ungracious. It's easier to like Coe now but in his heyday he could be hard to take to.
Of course, if 1500m had been the first race and Coe had unexpectedly won it, he would still have been ungracious, and Ovett would have been generous with his silver (or bronze) medal, right?
From 1980 on Ovett lost quite a few big races and was always extremely gracious in defeat. Even before that - look at his reaction when he lost to Beyer in 78. Since retiring he has always been very modest about his achievements and has repeatedly said that he always knew Coe was a far better athlete than him.
My favourite Ovett story is one his ex-wife told about their young daughter coming home from school having learned about the Olympics (they were living in Oz and it was the build up to the Sydney Games). She couldn't wait to tell her Dad that a man with exactly the same name as him had once won a gold medal.
makes it even better
