Steve Ovett

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Steve Ovett; Los Angeles 8 August 1984: 1500m race at the Games of XXIII Olympiad

Stephen Michael James "Steve" Ovett (born October 9, 1955), is an English middle distance runner and gold medalist in the 800 m at the 1980 Olympics.

Born in Brighton, Steve Ovett was an outstandingly talented teenage athlete. His first major title came in 1973 when he won the European junior 800 m, followed the next year in Rome with a silver in the senior event. He won AAA titles in the 800 m from 1974 to 1976, in the 1500 m in 1979 and in the mile in 1980.

Ovett gained some Olympic experience in 1976 when he ran in the final of the 800 m and was placed fifth. At the European Championships in 1978, he won gold in the 1500 m and silver in the 800 m.

Ovett arrived at the Moscow Olympics as most people's favourite to take the 1500 m title. Earlier that month, he had established a new mile world record of 3:48.8 and two weeks later equalled Sebastian Coe's world record of 3:32.1 in the 1500 m. He had been unbeaten over the 1500 m and mile for three years. His participation in the 800 m would serve as a test for the 1500 m. In the 800 m final, Ovett was only in sixth place at the halfway mark, but pushed his way through the crowd to second place. Seventy metres from the finish, he shot into the lead and held off Coe to win by three metres. In the 1500 m, contested six days later, it was Coe who came from behind to win, while Ovett had to settle for third place.

After the Olympics Ovett lowered the 1500 m world record time to 3:31.36. In 1983 he lowered it further to 3:30.77.

Ovett attempted to defend his 800 m title in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Battling with bronchitis, he barely qualified for the final and then finished eighth, after which he collapsed and spent two nights in a hospital. He returned to compete in the 1500 m. Running in fourth place at the beginning of the last lap of the final, Ovett collapsed with chest pains and was taken away on a stretcher.

In 1986 he won the 5000 m in the Commonwealth Games at Edinburgh. He failed to make the 1988 Olympic team and decided to retire soon after that. He has been a Track & Field television commentator for the CBC since 1992.