T&FN Favourite Olympic Moment Poll Results No1 David Rudisha

[donley2]

10 votes

To of the most dominant track performances ever share 8th place


8th Bob Beamon LJ 68 123 points

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEt_Xgg8dzc

Bolt 200m 2008 123 points

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUpC71WbAhA

Beamon was my number one. I had a poster (don't know if I still have it) of beamon with a quote about doing things people said are impossible. That performance is still mind boggling regardless of the conditions.

[Rog]

I had Jess as part of my Super Saturday vote. No-one in the UK in any sport at the Olympics had to bear the brunt of so much pressure as Jessica Ennis. She had one of the most competitive events and had lost the Worlds, but to the British public she was the face of athletics, even ahead of Mo and Dai Greene. As we know, she coped brilliantly and was one of the stars of the whole athletics tournament.

It's interesting to see how things have developed for her since. Her coach is no longer funded, and the track at which she trains is to be closed down. It's typical for the UK that our greatest athlete gets let down like this. Of all British athletes, though, I would trust Jess to cope with setbacks and still find a way to fight back. I'd love to see her win in Moscow and score over 7,000.

[Daisy]

and the track at which she trains is to be closed down.

Where does she train?

[Rog]

and the track at which she trains is to be closed down.

Where does she train?

Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield - here's the link to the BBC story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-so ... e-21627003

[Daisy]

Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield

Unbelievable, I thought that was one of their center pieces? I remember seeing Jon Drummond win the World student games there. It was a really good facility, from what I remember.

You'd think that Coe would have some clout in trying to keep it open, didn't he grow up in Sheffield?

[Conor Dary]

Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield

Unbelievable, I thought that was one of their center pieces? I remember seeing Jon Drummond win the World student games there. It was a really good facility, from what I remember.

You'd think that Coe would have some clout in trying to keep it open, didn't he grow up in Sheffield?

A friend of mine who lives in Sheffield and was on the 1984 Oly team with Coe, raised the same question. I guess he can't be bothered. He hasn't even commented on it.

[mump boy]

My understanding is that Jess doesn't train there at all but at the track down the road

Don Valley was a stadium of 25,000 people that hasn't held a track since the 2nd british GP moved to B'ham years ago !! obviously i would prefer it stayed open but it can't only be done on sentiment

[mump boy]

10 Votes

6th

Kelly Holmes Double 2004 145 points

This was VERY high on my list. It is the personification of never giving up, she eventually got it right at exactly the same time.

After her breakthrough in '93 when she equaled row English record while reaching the WC semi. she consolidated in 94 becoming CG champ and Euro Silver medals behind Rogarchova and made it to true world class in 95's with 2 medals in Gothenburg. Great things were expected but injury put pay to our hopes for Kelly

With lots of medical help she was 4th in the Atlanta 800 she and then limped through the 1500

She was world No1 going into Athens 97 and should have been world champ but got injured in her last training session and dropped out in her 1500 heat, got back just in time to win the 98 CWG but she was never the same again.

From 98 she managed a few more medals but never The Big G and was always struggling with injuries but come Athens 2004 everything changed

An move to train with Maria and coach Margot Jennings gave her a new lease of life and i've always thought gave her the skills to train smart rather than hard. And Athens was a revelation.

I was lucky enough to be in the stadium that night and it was just amazing, i was supposed to be working but i bunked off to celebrate, after the 800m

the 1500 was a shoe in and she totally dominated the race. If only she'd got it together earlier the debate over the rather weak field of w1500 GOAT would be decided

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV6LfdD97fY

Last point if we were speaking about specific 'moments' e.g. split seconds then Kelly's face as she crossed the line would be my No1. She crosses the line arms a loft and then thinks better of it and her face drops as she's can't quite believe it's actually happened there are a few seconds before someone on the infield confirms that she has won and festivities can begin

[Daisy]

6th Kelly Holmes Double 2004 145 points

She was my 4th Brit behind Thompson, Ovett and Ennis. Her racing savvy was very impressive in both races, you felt she was in control the whole time. Best, while I expected her to be in the hunt, I never expected the dominance she showed.

[Rog]

I voted for Kelly Holmes. I think until 2012 Kelly's gold medals stood out as the most popular in British athletics history, and even now they've only been equalled, not surpassed. Kelly was always a popular athlete, and there was a lot of sympathy for her that injuries had prevented her ever reaching her full potential. That she was finally able to overcome them and triumph on the greatest stage of all was just reward for her perseverance.

In the UK the BBC runs a competition every December for Sports Personality of the Year. It's voted by the public and it covers people from all sports. When Kelly won the 1500, I remember reading a pundit's opinion that the identity of that year's winner was now settled - no-one would be able to beat Kelly. He was right!

[nevetsllim]

I voted for Holmes' 800/1500m double. I'd always had a faint interest in athletics but that was the catalyst which got me hooked!

[Flumpy]

Seems like I missed some out.............

4 Points
31st
Super Saturday 45 points

For some unfathomable reason I placed this at #11??? Now obviously it was great and all but if I'm honest I think I put it there out of duty more than actual affection. I know I'm alone in this but the 2012 Olympics fell a bit flat for me and 4 Gold or not Team GB underperformed. This was a fantastic night but none of the individual moments stand out for me in the way previous Olynpic wins have.

18th
Flo Jo 200m 88 75 poins

My #8

As a teenage gayer it goes without saying that Flo Jo was my favourite athlete in the world. She has 4 inch nails, wore one legged cat suits and lycra hoods. I'd loved her for years so when I first heard she'd run the 10.49 I was overjoyed and remember jumping around the playground at school after reading about it in AW.

She didn't disappoint in Seoul and easily won the 100m running away smiling, but it was the 200m that was most mind blowing. 21.32 is insane. Way better than either MJ or Bolt's 200m WR's. I also loved that the classy Grace Jackson got silver in sucha fast time.

Obviously with hindsight I don't hold her performances or her in such high esteem but I was judging this on how I felt at the time. There has never been an athlete that so entranced me and there probably never will be again.

Such a shame she's more or less ruined womens sprinting for a generation.

6 Votes

15th

w100mh 92 51 points

My #10

Twas fantabulous. I love a shocker and this has to be amongst the biggest in T&F history. Even if Gail hadn't fallen Patoulidou would still have run the race of her life, as it was she ended up with the gold. Met her many years later at the WI's in Lisbon. I was super excited and she couldn't understand why we wanted her picture taken with her. I was far less enthused when I met Carl Lewis

[drdan]

18th
Flo Jo 200m 88 75 poins

My #8

As a teenage gayer it goes without saying that Flo Jo was my favourite athlete in the world. She has 4 inch nails, wore one legged cat suits and lycra hoods. I'd loved her for years so when I first heard she'd run the 10.49 I was overjoyed and remember jumping around the playground at school after reading about it in AW.

She didn't disappoint in Seoul and easily won the 100m running away smiling, but it was the 200m that was most mind blowing. 21.32 is insane. Way better than either MJ or Bolt's 200m WR's. I also loved that the classy Grace Jackson got silver in sucha fast time.

Obviously with hindsight I don't hold her performances or her in such high esteem but I was judging this on how I felt at the time. There has never been an athlete that so entranced me and there probably never will be again.

Such a shame she's more or less ruined womens sprinting for a generation.

s'funny, as a teenage gayer (or almost, anyway) Heike was totally my icon. i maintain to this day a better lane draw would have seen her get closer to Flo-Jo!

[Flumpy]

But Heike didn't wear lace gloves and snoods???

[John G]

I know I'm alone in this but the 2012 Olympics fell a bit flat for me and 4 Gold or not Team GB underperformed. This was a fantastic night but none of the individual moments stand out for me in the way previous Olynpic wins have.

I read lots of comments from you and your brother in the run-up to The Games and worried for you both! You reminded me of myself whenever bands I've loved have become famous.

[mump boy]

I know I'm alone in this but the 2012 Olympics fell a bit flat for me and 4 Gold or not Team GB underperformed. This was a fantastic night but none of the individual moments stand out for me in the way previous Olynpic wins have.

I read lots of comments from you and your brother in the run-up to The Games and worried for you both! You reminded me of myself whenever bands I've loved have become famous.

I said exactly that when we first got the games

Although the whole atmosphere in london was amazing over the summer the actual games fell a little bit flat for a number of reasons. Firstly we won too much across too many sports, i became blasé about winning gold never mind lesser medals. Also i love the excitement of having your whole world turned upside down and getting jet lag in your own living room when a champs is the other side of the world instead of a mile down the road.

Having said that last year was probably the best of my life and London 2012 contributed to that immensely. In fact most of the highlights (meeting Mary Rand and Tommie Smith) were directly related to 2012 if not specifically part of it)

I've just realised the reason last year was the best ever wasn't because i got married, had a child or the job of my dreams etc it was because i met Betty Cuthbert

I would imagine that this would make me quite sad person in many people eyes but i couldn't be happier

[mump boy]

11 votes

5th Cathy Freeman 400m 2000 114 points

Never in the history of sport has one athlete had so much pressure and dealt with it so magnificently

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOVhDUkmIvk

Also a brilliant bit of Aussie commentary that i can't find in good quality online

"What a legend, what a champion"

"What a relief'

[eldanielfire]

But Heike didn't wear lace gloves and snoods???

I never understood the Flo Jo look appear, the nails were creapy, the one leg, weird and the whole look hasn't been copied for a good reason.

[eldanielfire]

I know I'm alone in this but the 2012 Olympics fell a bit flat for me and 4 Gold or not Team GB underperformed. This was a fantastic night but none of the individual moments stand out for me in the way previous Olynpic wins have.

I read lots of comments from you and your brother in the run-up to The Games and worried for you both! You reminded me of myself whenever bands I've loved have become famous.

I said exactly that when we first got the games

Although the whole atmosphere in london was amazing over the summer the actual games fell a little bit flat for a number of reasons. Firstly we won too much across too many sports, i became blasé about winning gold never mind lesser medals. Also i love the excitement of having your whole world turned upside down and getting jet lag in your own living room when a champs is the other side of the world instead of a mile down the road.

Interesting for the same reasons the Athletics Golds meant more to me last year. We didn't win any gold until Wednesday and had a couple of big misses, then a bit ofa flood of golds in sports I only cared about for a month last year. So by Saturday I was nervous enough and if I wanted one Gold to make the Olympics I would have been stuck between Grainger and Ennis. And if I ha to pick Ennis because a home games almost needs an Athletics Gold to make it a great Olympics. London 2012 needed an Ennis Gold basically.

[drdan]

But Heike didn't wear lace gloves and snoods???

No, but she was fierce

[mump boy]

But Heike didn't wear lace gloves and snoods???

No, but she was fierce

Was she ?? i never got fierce off Heike. GWen was fierce, Merlene was FIERCE

I found Heike a little boring

(runs and hides from Gabriella)

[John G]

[quote="mump boy]I've just realised the reason last year was the best ever wasn't because i got married, had a child or the job of my dreams etc it was because i met Betty Cuthbert

I would imagine that this would make me quite sad person in many people eyes but i couldn't be happier [/quote]

Sad? Not at all. My week can be made just by Jo Pavey saying hello as she overtakes me in the park.

BTW, I could provide a list of those athletes over the years who have said hello to me or my wife in Bushy Park and those who have not. It would make very interesting reading.. .. .. . ...

[mump boy]

By the way people Cathy Freeman was in 5th if you'f like to comment !!

[Flumpy]

10 Votes

6th

Kelly Holmes Double 2004 145 points

My #2 and I've told this story on numerous occasions but here goes again.

I was working in Ibiza for the summer of 2004 but obviously arranged before I started the job to come back to the UK for 3 weeks to watch the Olympics. Mump was working in Athens so I stayed in his flat and watched the whole thing by myself. Coming up the the games I had real confidence that Kelly was going to do well. Myself and Jon had a running joke that we refused to talk about our actual predictions. 'Shhhhhh' we'd say to each other whenever the subject arose. I was pretty certain she was going to at least get a medal, I thought one could even be gold but I wasn't expecting the actual result at all.

The 800m is a bit of a blur to me. All I remember is screaming so much that I'm surprised the neighbours didn't call the police. I was shrieking and shrieking like a mad man and then when she crossed the line first I collapsed in a heap of sobs that didn't let up for ages. I've never cried so much in my entire life. I was a complete mess. Jon called me during my meltdown and all I could manage to utter was.

'I Can't. Speak. Now!!!' before promptly hanging up on him.

After this the 1500m was a foregone conclusion. She just looked so supremely confident. Jogging at the back, looking around, always knowing that she had the race in the bag.

This would have been a clear cut #1 for me if it wasn't for the immortal words............

"Ladies and Gentlemen. Celebrating 100 years of women's participation in The Olympic Games, the Olympic flame carried by Betty Cuthbert and Raelene Boyle"

[Daisy]

By the way people Cathy Freeman was in 5th if you'f like to comment !!

I picked her! Mainly since it seemed more like watching a movie than a real sporting event. It's as if it all happened in slow motion.

[John G]

6th Kelly Holmes Double 2004 145 points

She was my 4th Brit behind Thompson, Ovett and Ennis. Her racing savvy was very impressive in both races, you felt she was in control the whole time. Best, while I expected her to be in the hunt, I never expected the dominance she showed.

The precise 'moment' for me was half way down the home straight in the 800. I was really hoping she'd get silver but never thought gold was possible. As she hit the home straight I started screaming like a loon (something articulate like "She's going to do it, she's going to do it"). Then I went silent and stood open mouthed in utter shcck when I realised she was going to go one better. Her own look of utter disbelief at the end was priceless ( made better still when you have Crammy's commentary on in the background: "You've won it Kelly, you've won it!!")

[John G]

By the way people Cathy Freeman was in 5th if you'f like to comment !!

I picked her! Mainly since it seemed more like watching a movie than a real sporting event. It's as if it all happened in slow motion.

Me too. I was in the stadium and never thought I'd hear a noise like it (but then I never expected to be at a home Olympics with a London boy leading the 5000 into the home straight). The moment that gets me is watching her sat on the track afterwards, unable to take in what she's done whilst 112,000 people go nuts.

With hindsight, I'm really glad that the other Cath that I was cheering didn't win!

[eldanielfire]

6th Kelly Holmes Double 2004 145 points

She was my 4th Brit behind Thompson, Ovett and Ennis. Her racing savvy was very impressive in both races, you felt she was in control the whole time. Best, while I expected her to be in the hunt, I never expected the dominance she showed.

The precise 'moment' for me was half way down the home straight in the 800. I was really hoping she'd get silver but never thought gold was possible. As she hit the home straight I started screaming like a loon (something articulate like "She's going to do it, she's going to do it"). Then I went silent and stood open mouthed in utter shcck when I realised she was going to go one better. Her own look of utter disbelief at the end was priceless ( made better still when you have Crammy's commentary on in the background: "You've won it Kelly, you've won it!!")

Kelly is actually my number one moment. Nobody I knew in real life had an idea of who she was. Having followed her career and been aware this was her last chance at gold I was desperate for her to win it. I remember being annoyed by a comment in Athletics Weekly about how she'll probably get bronze and me all the more determined to support her. The race it self was a masterclass of control and tension, you could see Holmes ruthlessly picked off every competitor off between 300m to 700m until that last 100m where it just because an all out sprint that Kelly had the upper hand but it was so damned tight, it was a one error of judgement at any point n that race would have lost it, gone a moment too early or too late it was over, if you took slightly too long to run round somebody or tried too early it was over, if you didn't have the exact gas in the tank at the end or left even an inch too much it was over.It was a race you knew Holmes was winning all the way and yet there were only inches in it the whole way. Kelly Holmes judged that race to perfection to the last inch, I can't think of any race with so much drama, so many key switches of position, so many dangers to track, so many fast finishes and of course a great and dominate rival to beat who was also attempting to run the race her way. And of course Cram's commentary, his best bar none. Both insightful, supportive and in the final straight passionate and bias in just the perfect way. You could tell he genuinely wanted Kelly to win that one on a personal level.

[Rog]

Is Flo Jo's 100 still in the mix, or were all her nominations included in the 200 vote that came 18th?

[mump boy]

Is Flo Jo's 100 still in the mix, or were all her nominations included in the 200 vote that came 18th?

I don't think the 100m had any votes

[mump boy]

11 votes

4th Zatopek triple 52 125 points 5 for mar, 1 for 5k, 5 for triple

I make no apology for combining votes for this one. Emil's achievement deserves to be this hight rather than languishing in the 20's for individual races

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6--kiYKx9kA

[Pego]

I had it segregated, #1 for the marathon, #3 for 5000. Needless to say, Emil Zátopek is my all-time hero. I was hoping for a #1 overall.

[Daisy]

I had it segregated, #1 for the marathon, #3 for 5000. Needless to say, Emil Zátopek is my all-time hero. I was hoping for a #1 overall.

I didn't vote for any of his performances but I respect his achievements. It's just hard to get excited about something that happened a long, long, long time ago.

I just watched the youtube and, in retrospect, I really should have voted for him.

[Pego]

I was in a summer camp for most of Helsinki. We listened to it on radio.

[Rog]

Is Flo Jo's 100 still in the mix, or were all her nominations included in the 200 vote that came 18th?

I don't think the 100m had any votes

Flo Jo's 100 in 88 was my no.8

I remember reading on teletext that she had run 10.49 in the US Trials and thinking the text had corrupted - no woman could run that fast. Soon after I saw footage of that qf run on TV and was struck by three things - firstly, that after running away from everyone, she strode straight round the bend like she was running a 200; secondly, that the runners-up also had extremely fast times - was there something wrong with the timer/wind machone?; and thirdly, there was a woman in the race whose arm action looked like she was either swatting flies, or bitch-fighting (check the video to see what I mean).

I wasn't sure Flo Jo was for real until she got to Seoul, and then we had definite proof with a 1st round 10.88, then a 10.62 qf. In the final, she got a great start and at the halfway point she pulled away from the field like a jet ("jets on her feet, as Marlies Gohr said). The moment that stays with me though is seeing her run from a head-on perspective for the first time. About 30m from the line she breaks into a wide grin and knows she has it won. She's hitting a speed that to this day is hers alone in the history of women's sprinting, she feels the joy of it, and through watching the video we get to share her joy with her. Wonderful.

The only comparison with Flo Jo has been watching Bolt in 08 - someone in Olympic sprint finals who was shockingly better than the rest of the world's best. Of course Usain has gone on to back those performances up, and Flo Jo never did, to the consternation of many. Personally, it doesn't detract from my enjoyment of her great performances. Anjella Issajenko says in her book that Flo Jo was a likeable woman without the ego of the other sprinters. Good for her. She was a one-off; a flamboyant beauty who was also an introverted artist, as well as being the fastest woman of all time.