1,500 metres, Men

Since World War II, no Olympic 1,500 had an overwhelming favorite entering the race. That changed in 1960 with the presence of Australian Herb Elliott. His great year had been 1958 when he broke the world record in both the 1,500 (3:36.0) and the mile (3:54.5). He was not quite as dominant in 1959 but he was still undefeated as an adult over both distances. But at the end of 1959 he moved to Portsea where he trained under the legendary coach Percy Cerutty, to prepare for the Roma Olympics. In the heats he qualified easily, with nine runners advancing. His main opposition was felt to come from France’s Michel Jazy and Hungary’s István Rózsavölgyi. The final was led out by French runner Michel Bernard, who passed 800 metres in 1:57.8 with Elliott on his shoulder. Elliott then jumped into the lead, running the next 100 in 13.2, and he stretched out the field. He reached the start line in 2:54.0 for 1,200 metres, and continued to push the pace, the field trailing far behind him. At the end of the backstretch, Percy Cerutty waved a white towel, telling Elliott he was on world record pace. He tied up only slightly in the home straight, finishing with a world record of 3:35.6. Jazy trailed in second, almost three seconds back, with Rózsavölgyi getting the bronze medal. Thru the rest of 1960, Elliott ran numerous races, but never ran another mile or 1,500 after the end of the year. In 1961 he ran a few half-miles and then retired, never having lost at 1,500 or the mile. Considered the greatest miler ever at the time, many felt his short career left him far from his enormous potential.