Coe-d of honour: Steve Ovett breaks silence on famous rivalry with Lord Seb

More than 20 years on, Ovett reveals what he REALLY thinks about a man he says was his toughest opponent because he was “bullet-proof”

By Mike Walters, The Daily Mirror

So much for deadly rivals – Steve Ovett says Sebastian Coe was his toughest opponent because he was “bullet-proof”.

Today,...

Olympic Rivalries: Sebastian Coe & Steve Ovett

Coe, Ovett, middle-distance runners, who presided over the golden era of British athletics

By Pat Butcher, Watershed

Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe were middle-distance runners who presided over the golden era of British athletics. Between them they broke a total of twelve middle-distance...

IOC Drops 1500 for Mile as Marquee Track Event

Special emergency meeting approves Mile for 2012 London Olympic track & field schedule

LAUSANNE, Switzerland – (April 1, 2012) – In an unprecedented emergency meeting and vote, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dropped the 1500 meters for the Mile as an Olympic track event effective...

An Open Love Letter to the Mile

Dear Mile:

You were our First Love from the first time that we set eyes on your classic beauty & rich history; it's been a wonderful 140-plus years together. From the time Edward Merritt (USA) ran 4:43.8 in 1877 to Great Britian's Sir Roger Bannister's ground breaking, and now iconic, first...

An Exclusive Club

Forty years after Roger Bannister broke four minutes, the brotherhood of Mile record holders gathered to honor their grand obsession

By Gary Smith, Sports Illustrated

Never join someone who eclipses you. Align yourself with one who increases your luster. The man who puts you in the shade...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Mile

And here was all this power, suddenly, as if he had just joined the race... In the stretch he appeared taller than in earlier laps, expanding in the imagination.

By Kenny Moore, Sports Illustrated

Sebastian Coe turned into the last backstretch of the Dream Mile at the Bislett Games in Oslo in...

Coe on the Go

His latest Mile world record having lasted but a week, Sebastian Coe came racing back to regain it in Brussels

By Kenny Moore, Sports Illustrated

As the gun sounded to begin the Golden Mile in Brussels' Heizel Stadium last Friday night, August 28th, Tom Byers was caught off balance. He was in...

The Mile Has No Problem Surviving in a Metric Age

A record-breaking performance... would solidify the Mile's stature as one of sport's most exciting spectacles... Who would have got excited about the 4 minute 1600 anyway?

By Craig Masback, The New York Times

Steve Ovett stood with hands on hips in silent contemplation of the men's 200...

Ovett’s 3:49.25 Wins Oslo Mile as Seven Runners Better 3:51

''It's the best Mile the world's ever seen." - Steve Ovett

By Neil Amdur, New York Times

OSLO, Norway — The Mile moved to a new frontier tonight when seven runners shattered 3 minutes, 51 seconds, led by Steve Ovett's winning 3:49.25 and an American record 3:49.68 by Steve Scott, who was...

The Golden Mile: The torch is passed

As Coe entered, the meet's athletes rose in a standing ovation. For the first time what he had done began to sink in, and he was moved.

By Kenny Moore, Sports Illustrated

The streams of talent and preparation and resolve that would converge in Oslo at twilight on July 17, 1979, arose in...