One of the biggest rivalries in track and field history was that between two middle distance runners from Great Britain, Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett. Before the Moscow Games the last time they had met in a race was at the 1978 European Championships where Ovett beat Coe in the 800 meters.  In between both men were breaking records and the anticipation for the face off in Moscow was growing.

In a period of 41 days in 1979 Sebastian Coe broke 3 world records in the 800 meters, the mile run and the 1500 meters. In 1980 it was Ovett’s turn he took the mile run record away from Coe.

When Coe arrived in Moscow he was met by hundreds of reporters and it turned into a freeding frenzy. Ovett when he arrived he did as he usually did, he didn’t talk to the reporters.

The 800 meters came first. The prognosticators were predicting a Coe win in the 800 and an Ovett win in the 1500. In the 800 Steve Ovett won. Sebastian Coe won silver but was very upset with his run, saying he violated all the cardinal rules of running. He said it was the worst race he’d ever ran.

There were 6 days until the 1500, Ovett was the favorite. Sebastian Coe won the gold though, Ovett won the bronze, and later would say he was happy with the bronze because he felt he ran a great race.

After it was all over both men who had been characterized as bitter rivals expressed their relief to each other and got together for a drink.

Both these great runners would meet again in 1984 in Los Angeles. The experts were predicting doom for Sebastian Coe who suffered through a terrible 1983. Sebastian Coe though was not finished he would win the gold again in the 1500 and a silver in the 800. Steve Ovett would struggle. He had bronchitis and at the end of the 800 he collapsed and  ended up hospitalized for 2 games. He wasn’t done though, against better judgement he ran in the 1500 meters, he could not finish and was taken away on a stretcher.

Sebastian Coe has had a career in politics, he is a member of the House of Lords in Great Britain. He is also the chairman of the London Olympic Organizing Committee. Steve Ovett now lives in Austrailia and has done some track and field commentary over the years.