Why didn't Dave Wottle keep running?

Scott,

Thanks for sharing. Your perspective is wonderful.

Did or do you run? If so, do you feel a pressure of people thinking you should be as great as your father.

Those informed know that talent like that is rare, but I am curious if many uninformed expected you to be a world-beater.

look at the Youtube olympic video

LOOK AT THE GUYS IN 5TH AND SIXTH PLACE BETWEEN 2:10 AND 2:14 looks like one of those guys is getting punched in the back a few times.

sorry this video here --->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LHid-nC45k

Went to high school in WV, and when being recruited over 20 years ago the only letter I saved was the one from Wottle at Bethany College.

No luck,wet noodle. Providence. Russian and East German were jacked.

No luck,wet noodle. Providence. Russian and East German were jacked.

I watched the tape while there was some interference there, it is obvious that Arzhanov was not stumbling. He backs off a bit and then settles into his pace. After he takes the lead he is in a dominant, front running position but Wottle catches him anyway.

Arzhanov loses his legs (and balance) as he comes to the finish and Wottle, who runs through the finishing line, wins.

Arzhanov ran a tough race. The fact that Wottle caught him at the end, takes nothing away from Arzhanov's effort.

...first, a big 'thanks' to Scott for taking the time to reply to the post!

I was in high school and just started my running career remember Munich with Jim McKay, Marty Liquori all to well!

I became a Huge Dave Wottle fan after watching that race that day...in fact, like somebody mentioned earlier even started wearing a hat like Dave...I even employed 'his tactics' in races by going out slow.

Anyway, who really care if the Russian got fouled or not? At that time, Arzhanov on paper may have been the best, but on the TRACK, THAT DAY, Wottle won the Gold-despite Arzhanov throwing himself across the finish line.

I can clearly remember that at the time the U.S. Basketball team had been 'robbed' of its' Olympic Gold Medal, thus had very little sympathy for Arzhanov. Which further reminds me of our Best Sprinters getting to the stadium late, rushing a warm up and letting the Gold slip away to Borzov of the USSR!

...as 'Archie & Edith' would say: "those were the days", but luckily Dave Wottle was there so his own shocking run for Gold! I will never forget and love watching that vid on Youtube too!

Yes - every thanksgiving befor we eat he says a little prayer and always thanks Fromm! jk. Nope - he never mentioned it but if you saw it, I am sure he is aware and thankful for it! I wil ask him next weekend and let you know. I agree - there is luck involved, but at the same time he is my dad so I will always beleive he won because at the time he was the best in the world at the half mile and nothing I ever see or hear will change my mind. Like I said, I realize that is very naive thinking but mine ois the only opinion I really care about! And I will say it is pretty cool having your 10 year old and 5 year old running around telling me that they want to be in the Olympics and be the fasted person in the world just like their grandpa - I will steer them away from some of these posts so they can keep the illusion alive! Someone asked if I ran - I did - as my coach told me, I had a lot of "potential" but never really got very competitive. I ran sub 16 in 5K in high school but ultimately, I probably would have ft in at Oregon on the partying side of things and couldnt juggle both! Not sure what happened with Sid, I met him a few times when I was very young, but that was about it. I know my dad still talks with him and I think my mom had a little crush on the guy! Somebody also asked about the hat - it was simnply because his hair was long and the hat kept it out of his eyes. He thinks he may have it at the house in his office - he had two identical hats and one is in the T&F Hall of Fame and the other is at home - he isnt sure which is which - kind of funny! Mel was a great man from what I understand, I know my dad was very upset when he passed and has nothing but admiration for the man. I guess he not only taught him to race, but also how to get lucky

and at the expense of sounding like a cheese ball, I will add one last thing. While I am proud as hell of dad for what he accomplished in the Olympics, I will say that none of that makes me as proud as I am of the way he raised my brother, sister and myself and what an amazing grandfather he is to my kids. He is an all around great person and that is what my family will always remember him for first. It is funny, we were shopping after Christmas and an older lady was having trouble with something and dad went over and helped her out and made sure she was ok. My 5 year old looked at me and said "wow, grandpa s so nice! I want to be just like him" It is that kind of stuff that makes a man and a role model - something you dont see a lot of these days in many professional atheletes.

...hey kudos to you Scott for adding a little more insight to your Dad and the kind of Man he is-good stuff!

Hey, now that I recall, I do have a pretty good story on your Dad...and not to panick, this is a good one! I was in high school when a former coach took me along with his son to watch the NCAA Indoor Track Champs in 1973. 'Back In The Day' it was held at Cobo Arena in Detroit.

At our hotel, I cornered your Dad in the elevator when I asked for his autograph! It was a highlight for me...as I was a young snot-nosed kid seeking an autograph! (Oh, by the way, your Dad ran tough at that meet, but also ran against a tougher 2-miler in one Mike Keogh of Manhattan College and placed 2nd) But no matter to me, as he was STILL Olympic Champion. And back in the 70's is was the Finns and winning all of the hardware...so it was cool to get my program autographed by your Dad.

Thanks again for chiming in...and great to read about your running exploits too! I too have a son that ran in college...and he was often compared to me...which isn't fair, but over the years did happen...but good for you to understand the truly important stuff in life!

Scott: Thanks again so much for sharing!

All this bullshite rationalizing because you lost money betting on Arzhanov. Get over it. Wottle beat him fair and square you shmuck licking dolt.

how awesome!

That settles it. Dave is now my running hero for all time. The fact that he is a humble and good father and grandfather puts him over the top. The fact that Bowling Green has abandoned his memory and team makes me sad beyond words. Let him know that I invite him to become an honorary Penn State Track Alumni Golfer (the golf is optional). We have always honored his victory at the Olympics in one of the greatest races ever run. (with bonus video of Billy Mills' 10K victory)

http://psutafalumnigolf.blogspot.com/2008/07/he-cant-possibly-pull-that-off_16.html

When was that, Les, that you did that Amazon Trail run?

Glad someone mentioned the word 'luck' at last. Here was a guy who coulda/shoulda won by a second or more just shaving it. Nine times out of 10 he would have been blocked. For those making excuses for him, he then tried the same bonehead tactics in the heats (semi?) of the 1500 and got what may easily have happened in the 800 - the finish came too late.

Scott,

Thanks much for sharing your insight and perspective about your father. It's great to hear about the person who is a fond memory, role model, and hero of so many American runners. Thx for taking the time to share this.

I think jjjjjjjj is right! It was all luck! He was quite the bonehead with very few accomplishments - all of which were luck! Maybe had jjjjjjj been around to coach him things would have been much better and he would have been a little more successful! If he ever gets back into track, I will have him look you up!