Brahim Boulami wrote:
Deanouk wrote:
Agree. The turn of pace is key in the middle and distance events, but then its as important to be able to maintain that pace for the longest. I was always impressed wit Coe's change of place in the Moscow Olympic 1500 semi final, when he allowed himself to get surrounded by about 5 other athletes with 200 to go. Coleman's commentary at the end of the race were also quite prophetic.
https://youtu.be/c8uOC-1eH-4?t=809
Not a bad last 100m kick from Aouita.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSsx9MBVw4g
It's interesting that you should post this video.
So where was Aouita hiding at Zurich 89? He dodged Coe at Zurich in 89 too??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-grXjw1Pm0&t=300sIt's useful to compare the two races. The common opponent was Kip Cheruiyot, who they both struggled to pip.
The time at 1200m in the Aouita race was 2:54.09 (Aouita) and he won in 3:34.60.
The time at 1200m in the Coe race was 2:53.48 with Kirochi winning in 3:33.86
So Kirochi's last 300 was much faster than Aouitas.
Coe, however, was back in 6th or 7th place at the 300mark and then produced a blistering turn of pace to get back on the shoulders of the leaders but seemed to hold back, then decided to attempt to kick past the two Kenyans with about 50m to go. As Deano said, he was clearly holding himself back after injuring himself the week before in the AAAs where he ran a 51 second last lap after getting tripped.
Anyway, Coe's last 300 must have been about 2:54.5 to 3:34.5 i.e. 40 seconds.
Aouita's last 300 was 2:54.09 to 3:34.60 ie. 40.51 seconds.
So even an injured Coe holding back was faster than Aouita who was arguably in prime shape then (he must have ran his 3000m world record very close to this race).
No wonder Aouita dodged him again.