coe not being chosen for 1988 olympic games

Most countries don´t have trials like the US have.

Coe failed to get out of the heats of the 1988 UK Olympic trials. He had gambled everything on being selected for the 1500 only in an attempt to win his 3rd 1500 title. He had no form in 87 and his early season form in 88 was patchy.

After an altitude trip to Switzerland he came back to England and ran lethargically in a heat he should have won easily, coming in fourth and not progressing even as a fast loser.

Despite personal appeals by Samaranch [incumbent IOC president] on his behalf, the UK went with Elliott, Cram and Crabb.

It is conjecture now of course but Coe's late 88 form suggests he would have been a factor in what was, frankly, a dissappointing final, But the UK was loaded with Mile talent throughout the 80s so strict guidelines were always in place for selection months in advance.

GB picked first two past the post plus one other discretionary (all dependent on having obtained the relevant qualifying standard, obviously)

in 88 Cram only ran the 800m at the AAAs adn there's no way the selctors could have not chosen him for the 1500m. Obviously the selectors were hoping and expecting Coe to be in the top two in the 1500 but as pointed out above, Coe bombed out. So, the choice was Cram or Coe - though at the time the media focused its attention on Peter Elliot and called on him to stand down from the 1500m as he was also picked for the 800m.

AAAs champs (Olympic trials) 1988

800m

1. Steve Cram 1.44.16

2. Tom McKean 1.45.10

3. Steve Heard 1.45.32

1500m

1. Peter Elliot 3.44.48

2. Steve Crabb 3.45.33

3. Adrian Passey 3.46.66

UK top perpformers 1998

800m

1. Steve Cram 1.43.42

2. Seb Coe 1.43.93

3. Peter Elliott 1.44.12

1500m

1. Steve Cram 3.30.95

2. Peter Elliott 3.32.94

3. Steve Crabb 3.33.95

..............

Olympic Games 1988

800m

1. Paul Ereng (KEN) 1.43.45

2. Joaquim Cruz (BRA) 1.43.90

3. Said Aouita (MOR) 1.44.06

4. Peter Elliott (GBR) 1.44.12

5. Johnny Gray (USA) 1.44.80

6. Jose Luis Barbosa (BRA) 1.46.39

7. Donato Sabia (ITA) 1.48.03

8. Nixon Kiprotich (KEN) 1.49.55

1500m

1. Peter Rono (KEN) 3.35.95

2. Peter Elliott (GBR) 3.36.15

3. Jens-Peter Herold (DDR) 3.36.21

4. Steve Cram (GBR) 3.36.24

5. Steve Scott (USA) 3.36.99

6. Han Kulker (HOL) 3.37.08

7. Kipkoech Cheruiyot (KEN) 3.37.94

8. Marcus O'Sullivan (IRE) 3.38.39

The treatment of Elliot was a disgrace, he was our best athlete at the time, as the results showed in Seoul. Coe still claims he would ahve won in 88 if selected, typical tory twit.

He was such a clutch competitor, I wouldn't have bet against him in a tactical race like that. But I agree with the tory twit part.

what???? wrote:

The treatment of Elliot was a disgrace, he was our best athlete at the time, as the results showed in Seoul. Coe still claims he would ahve won in 88 if selected, typical tory twit.

I agree that the hounding of Elliott was terrible and unwarranted - he was rightly picked for the 800m on prevoius form and he won the 1500m at the trials so that's that. However, I also think that that Coe could have medalled at Seoul.

Ah! but what glorious days they were...

hindsight being the wonderful thing it is, if Cram & Elliot had both just done the 1500 it could have been 1-2 - Cram (although as shown fastest UK runner at both distances that yr) went out in the 2nd round of the 800, and Elliot nearly ended his career with those 7 races due to his hip problem (but you can't argue too much with a 4th and a 2nd!). Obviously if you add Coe to the mix at 1500 the possibilities were great....

You have to remember though at the time Tom McKean was v hard to beat in one off races (although 88 wasn't his greatest yr) and Crabb ran 3.33 that yr and got 2nd in the trials so was no mug. It's only with a full view of everyones Careers can you make a full assessment.

Peter Elliott was awesome. Totally awesome.

Rotheham Rocket wrote:

Peter Elliott was awesome. Totally awesome.

I agree - and along with Cram the only man to beat Coe at both 800 and 1500 (I think).

No doubt Coe would have played a big part in Seoul! Sure he wasn't even favourite in LA!, but what happened?, That guy was very special!! GB were phenomenal in the 80's!!greatest era of all!!

The decision to leave Coe off the '88 team was the correct one. It was over for him by then.

Camoo wrote:

The decision to leave Coe off the '88 team was the correct one. It was over for him by then.

I agree - when you consider he only managed to run 1:43.93 in 1988 and 1:43.38 in 1989. He was definitely well past his sell by date.

what???? wrote:

The treatment of Elliot was a disgrace, he was our best athlete at the time, as the results showed in Seoul. Coe still claims he would ahve won in 88 if selected, typical tory twit.

Elliot was injured in Seoul - anyone know what that injury was? I remember the runners complaining that Korean officials weren't allowing them to warm up before the 800. I remember an interview with Ereng's coach. He said he noticed the ignorance of the officials regarding warm-ups and he said he told Ereng to hang back because everyone would go out as usual and tie up worse than usual without a good warm-up. Great advice.

That 1500 was disappointing as mentioned above. Coe out. Elliot hurt. Cram hurt, the list goes on. Peter Rono ran a gutsy race and beat the field on the day. But it was a weak field. Ngugi's 5k that day was gutsy, he broke away (kind of like Murray Halberg taking his chances in '60) and hung on.

Yeah, Coe can be a twit, but I have little doubt he could have kicked down Rono in that race.

Sebastian Slow wrote:

I agree - when you consider he only managed to run 1:43.93 in 1988 and 1:43.38 in 1989. He was definitely well past his sell by date.

Didin't he drop an early season 3:33 1500 in there somewhere as well in '89?

Coe ran 3:34.05 in 89 - still pretty useful

What do I know? wrote:

Sebastian Slow wrote:

I agree - when you consider he only managed to run 1:43.93 in 1988 and 1:43.38 in 1989. He was definitely well past his sell by date.

Didin't he drop an early season 3:33 1500 in there somewhere as well in '89?

16/8/89 Weltklasse Zurich 3:34.05 ... pedestrian

in 89 Coe also finished a very close second to Abdi Bile in a very exciting 1500m at the World Cup

1. Bile 3.35.56

2. Coe 3.35.79

3. Herold 3.35.87

AND don't froget Bile was the reigning world champ and was in terrific form in 89 - in fact he was quicked in the world that year 3:30.55, and Coe ran very well agasint him in the World Cup event.