London 2012

Sebastian Coe

Although he has become known as the man behind London's successful 2012 bid, Coe was also the leading star during Britain's golden age of Olympic success in middle distance running.

Fascinating facts

  • Coe has had an active political career, being a Conservative Member of Parliament from 1992 to 1997 before being given a life peerage in 2000.
  • He won the inaugural Prince of Asturias award for sports in 1987, after missing almost the entire year through injury
  • His middle name is Newbold.

Coe won the 1,500m gold medal in 1980 and 1984 and also claimed two silver medals in the 800m, an event in which he held the world record for 18 years.

He had established himself as the world's premier middle distance athlete one year before the 1980 Games in Moscow by setting world records over 800m, 1,500m and the mile.

He would lose out to British rival Steve Ovett in the two-lap event in Moscow, a surprise result given that the 800m was generally thought to be Coe's speciality.

However, Coe gained his revenge by racing clear of Ovett and East Germany's Jurgen Straub to take the gold in the 1,500m as the two British rivals both won the races they were expected to lose, and lost the races they were expected to win.

It would be a similar story four years later in Los Angeles as Coe took silver in the 800m behind the fast-finishing Brazilian Joaquim Cruz.

He then became the only man in Olympic history to retain the 1,500m title as he took a superb victory ahead of another British star, Steve Cram, crossing the line in a new Olympic record.

Coe continued to race at a high level for two more years but lost 1987 through injury and did not qualify for the British team for the 1988 Games. He eventually retired from athletics in 1990.

Sebastian Coe

  • DOB: 29/9/1956
  • Events: 800m/1500m
  • Medals: 2 Gold, 2 Silver

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