T&FN Favourite Olympic Moment Poll Results No1 David Rudisha

[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.

[John G]

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.

I had a picture of her on my bedroom wall wearing that cool US Kappa kit from the 1987 World Champs. I wasn't sure if I fancied her or Merlene Ottey the most (something that would have been of great concern to both ladies, I'm sure). I was quite dismayed by the change in appearance when she came out in 1988 and actually found the Seoul performances deeply depressing.

[Johnners]

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 I think you might feel differently if you guys had attended the T&F sessions. I have never experienced an atmosphere like it at any ch'ships and I am not sure we will experience its like ever again. Packed to the rafters for qualifiers with screaming fans - it was one of the best experiences of my life. Ya missed out!

[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.

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 I think you might feel differently if you guys had attended the T&F sessions. I have never expereinced an atmosphere like it at any ch'ships and I am not sure we will experience its like ever again. Packed to teh rafters for qualifiers with screaming fans - it was one of teh best experiences of my life. Ya missed out!

Mump'n'Flump always said they'd be frustrated if stuck next to non-afficiandos who didn't understand what they were watching. I could relate to that but in the end had to acknowledge that Joe Public made a noise that 80000 'true fans' never would have achieved. I have sat in amongst he British Athletics Supporters Club at The Palace for quite a few years. We get the best seats in the house but aside from a few knowledgeable nods of approval and the rustle of crisp packets as they tuck into their packed lunches there is little or no atmosphere and I always wish I'd sat on the back straight with the plebs cheering anything that moves.

[Daisy]

Those crisp packets can get quite loud!

I had an embarrassing moment in Edinburgh. I was lucky enough to get a seat close to the finish line at their grand prix event (or what ever it was). When Johnson ran 19.85 for the 200m my first reaction was to jump up screaming, as you do (that was when a sub 20 was rare). Unfortunately, I was the only one in that section who noticed, or recognised the significance, of the time.

[John G]

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 the Marathon it but should have. Best bit: where he asks Jim Peters, who's flogging himself at WR pace, if the pace is fast enough. Peters thought it was kidology and said 'No', so Zatopek speeded up!

[eldanielfire]

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 the Marathon it but should have. Best bit: where he asks Jim Peters, who's flogging himself at WR pace, if the pace is fast enough. Peters thought it was kidology and said 'No', so Zatopek speeded up!

And faded into the distance. Absolutely one of the best and funniest stories in Track and Field, along with the Jamaican relay team carrying him round on his lap of honour at the end of the marathon. I so wish a camera had caught that.

[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

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

Oh

I'll check in the morning :-S

[mump boy]

Mump I think you might feel differently if you guys had attended the T&F sessions. I have never expereinced an atmosphere like it at any ch'ships and I am not sure we will experience its like ever again. Packed to teh rafters for qualifiers with screaming fans - it was one of teh best experiences of my life. Ya missed out!

Mump'n'Flump always said they'd be frustrated if stuck next to non-afficiandos who didn't understand what they were watching. I could relate to that but in the end had to acknowledge that Joe Public made a noise that 80000 'true fans' never would have achieved. I have sat in amongst he British Athletics Supporters Club at The Palace for quite a few years. We get the best seats in the house but aside from a few knowledgeable nods of approval and the rustle of crisp packets as they tuck into their packed lunches there is little or no atmosphere and I always wish I'd sat on the back straight with the plebs cheering anything that moves.

I agree with both of the above. For years we were the youngest fans who travelled everywhere, even my mum refused to go as she was younger than most and didn't like their attitude

In retrospect i wish we had got some tickets but i had he hump about they way they were sold and not having any idea what we'd bought before arriving an realising we hated them

We did get tickets for the closing ceremony and the paralympics so we did get to witness it but you're right at least going to one session of track would have been preferable

Never mind, i met Harrison Dillard last year

[Flumpy]

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'

My favourite bit of commentary ever. Whoever it was that said it (Raelene?) spoke not just for Australia but for the whole world. It would have been catastrophic had Cathy lost.

This was my #4. Only have 1 left I think. I've missed my #7 along the way but I'm 100% certain itmust have already gone.

[mump boy]

13 votes

3rd Michael Johnson 200m 96 165 points

I didn't vote for this but it totally mind blowing at the time !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FEh7hDpGp0