Mile News


1968 Mexico City Olympic Games -1500 Meters- Jim Ryun vs Kip Keino

August 03, 2012

By Slicethelife

The most anticipated track and field event at the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games was the match up in the 1500 meters with Jim Ryun taking on Kip Keino of Kenya.

Jim Ryun was an incredible runner. As a junior in high school in Kansas he was the first high schooler to run a 4 minute Mile. He still to this day holds 5 of the top 6 fastest Miles of any high schooler. He was so outstanding that ESPN would name him the Greatest High School Athlete of All-Time. Pretty heady stuff when you consider ESPN always wants to name someone current the ‘Greatest of All Times” on their lists. Jim Ryun at one time held the world record in the one Mile, the 800 meters and the 1500 meters. Going into the 68 showdown with Kip Keino he was unbeaten in the 1500 for 3 years. But he had a couple things going against him. In June of 68 he had mononuclosis. Also going against him was the high altitude of Mexico City. Kip Keino would have an advantage here, he trained in the high altitudes of Kenya.

Continue reading at: slicethelife.com

Tags: mexico city 1968 (3) , kip keino (7) , jim ryun (92)

Facebook Comments

Return the Mile to prominence on the American & worldwide sports and cultural landscape by elevating and celebrating the Mile to create a movement.

ELEVATE
Bring Back the Mile as the premier event in the sport, and increase interest in and media coverage of the Mile for both those who love the distance as well as the general public.

CELEBRATE
Bring Back the Mile to celebrate the storied distance and to recognize the people who made and make the Mile great and to promote Mile events and the next generation of U.S. Milers.

NATIONAL MOVEMENT
Bring Back the Mile to create a national movement for the Mile as America’s Distance,
to inspire Americans to run the Mile as part of their fitness program and to replace the 1600 meters at High School State Track & Field Meets across the country.

Become a Mile Maniac member or a BBTM sponsor today! Join us, and go Mile!

Join Us

Thanks for joining the movement and being a Mile Maniac. We'll keep you up to-date with our Mile wires as well as exclusive contests and opportunities. Help us spread the word by sharing our site and joining us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram!