Bad Wigins wrote:
Did he break the WORLD RECORD like JUANTORENA if not then NICE TRY!
Isn't the object of an Olympic final to win the gold medal?
If so, then as an athlete you run the best race you can that will lead to that eventuality!
Juantorena and Rudisha clearly felt that going out and running their fastest for longest, was their best chance of winning! This would suggest that they were very aware of the ability of the others in the field. It also underlines that neither felt as confident of winning by going out slowly and hoping for a slower, tactical race.
Ovett clearly didn't feel his best chance of winning was going out hard from the gun, but rather it would come from a slower, tactical race which would lead to bumping and a lot of wide running from some others.
Ovett achieved the job on the day, the same as Juantorena.