1988 Olympic 1500: eerily similar to 2016

There is nothing similar about the two races. Rono ran fast.

Peter J. Rono wrote:

Let's hope that Centro fairs better than Rono post Olympics, but it is interesting how similar the two races were:

https://youtu.be/oWY1IkuvqWI

Peter J. Rono wrote:

Let's hope that Centro fairs better than Rono post Olympics, but it is interesting how similar the two races were:

https://youtu.be/oWY1IkuvqWI

I see no similarity at all in either the races or the racers.

Not at all? The premise that a guy very much not predicted to win took the lead from a long ways out, refused to relinquish it, and brought home unexpected gold? Well, best to keep it to myself next time with you spoil sports, I suppose!

Peter J. Rono wrote:

Not at all? The premise that a guy very much not predicted to win took the lead from a long ways out, refused to relinquish it, and brought home unexpected gold? Well, best to keep it to myself next time with you spoil sports, I suppose!

Actually there are people close to the Kenyan team who thought that Rono was yhe man to beat. It turned out they were right.

If "unexpected" means not expected by people out of the loop, then you're right. But....you're not right.

Peter J. Rono wrote:

Let's hope that Centro fairs better than Rono post Olympics, but it is interesting how similar the two races were:

https://youtu.be/oWY1IkuvqWI

I'm sure Centro would be welcome at any fair.

?????? wrote:

Peter J. Rono wrote:

Not at all? The premise that a guy very much not predicted to win took the lead from a long ways out, refused to relinquish it, and brought home unexpected gold? Well, best to keep it to myself next time with you spoil sports, I suppose!

Actually there are people close to the Kenyan team who thought that Rono was yhe man to beat. It turned out they were right.

If "unexpected" means not expected by people out of the loop, then you're right. But....you're not right.

Oh, stop. That's not even remotely close to true.

Things that were not similar:

Rono had no past accomplishments.

Centro went into the race with a WC Bronze and Silver and 4th place Olympic finish.

Rono hadn't run under 3:36 before that race.

Centro had a 3:30 PR.

Rono's winning time: 3:35

Centro's: 3:50

Rono kept back the first 800 as the leaders went out in 2:00

Centro lead the first 800 in 2:16

The top 1500 runners in 1988 were all hurt or unfit: Coe, Bile, Aouita weren't in the race. Cram wasn't right.

Centro faced a healthy Kiprop, Makhloufi and Souleiman in the final.

Things that were similar:

They both lead the final 800 and kept picking up the pace and holding everyone off with each stride.

Eerily similar to how El G won the 2003 World Championships:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1iskst_ckw

Star wrote:

Rono kept back the first 800 as the leaders went out in 2:00

What the hell are you talking about?

Rono, who won the Kenyan Olympic Trials, WAS THE LEADER at 800m, having taking over with 2 laps to go.

Peter Rono

1986 World Juniors Silver

1987 World Indoor team

1988 Olympics Gold

1991 World Outdoor team

There was a thread on Letsrun this Summer that someone quoted a coach or an agent that Peter Rono would win gold in 1988. When asked who would win the 800m, the same prognosticator said "Paul Ereng"

Anyone know which thread that was?

Star wrote:

The top 1500 runners in 1988 were all hurt or unfit: Coe, Bile, Aouita weren't in the race. Cram wasn't right.

Centro faced a healthy Kiprop, Makhloufi and Souleiman in the final.

Both Coe and Cram were well past their peaks. Aouita was the last guy unafraid to dope and chasing fast distance times while he could.

In 1989 Coe was ranked top ten in the world in both the 1500 and the 800.

And his lifetime 1500m PR was in 1986.

In 1988 Cram was ranked #1 in the world in the 1500.

I don't know how you can say they were both well past their peaks in 1988.

Abdi Bile was the 1987 World Champion and he ranked #1 in the world in 1989.

1988 should have been his peak.

Aouita was the 1987 5000 World Champion, 1988 800m Bronze medalist and broke the 3000 record in 1989 while being ranked #2 in the 1500 that year.

Coe, Bile, Aouita and Cram were all great 1500m runners that had either a world title or world record at 1500m and they were all at or near their prime in 1988.

But Cram was the only one in Rono's race and he suffered an injury or something before the Olympics.

Why is Steve Scott wearing that sleep mask? That could not have helped.

Laylock wrote:

Why is Steve Scott wearing that sleep mask? That could not have helped.

I just burst out laughing. Well done.