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Relive the Olympic 800m race at Munich 1972 with us and remember David Wottle's incredible spirit that led him to Olympic gold!
Tendinitis in his knees hampered David Wottle's training in the weeks leading up to the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. His start in the 800m final was rather slow. Things looked kind of hopeless for Wottle for the first 200m. But Wottle did not give up and fought his way back to the leading group of the athletes to finally securing the 800m gold in the last few metres of the track.
"I thought people would forget about my race. (...) It's almost fifty years now after the Olympic Games and they are still talking about it.", Wottle says. And it's true - we remember Wottle's fight for Olympic gold as a message to everyone: Never give up, even when things look hopeless!
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First of all he paced himself very well! Steady pace! Others started too fast and faded! Very smart runner!!🥇
he is standing at the munich olympic stadium, 50 years later! that's pretty cool :)
@@nancyevans7946 l ll)
Nice
All rigged races. The Munich 72, with the fake Israel nonsense and this Chewish Wottle guy. It's all fixed, all rigged, all staged.
When I was a kid I got his autograph the night before this race. He was training and I yelled hello and to my surprise he ran over to the fence where me and my Dad were standing . He stopped and talked to us for a few minutes and signed my Program and then won the gold medal the next day to cement his place at the very top of my sports heroes list !
That is beautiful!
That’s got to be one of your best childhood memories, you, your dad and a future gold medalist who took the time to speak with a kid. Obviously you never forgot and never will. Amazing.
Incredible ❤️
I Love that story. I was 11, about to turn 12 that September. My dad made me a running chart, and hung it on the living room wall. I became a runner that summer. Dave Wottle … a name to remember.
Such a great story you shared with us thank you!
Actually, Dave Wottle was the smartest at pacing himself in the race. He ran a perfect 26 seconds for each 200 meters. The rest of them slowed dramatically over the last 200 and Dave maintained his pace. To do that was a truly amazing thing, IMO
Well, it actually says that he was fighting some physical problems (tendonitis), which may have affected him out of the gate. But those problems turned into a blessing, forcing him to pace himself until the final stretch. I think this is more of a "use lemons to make lemonade" situation. Either way, this is fascinating to watch.
@@medmuscle It was a game changing tactic. People in the day just dashed off the line in a first past the post style. Wottle pacing himself was a new idea at the time. People were astounded, some thought it ungentlemanly. Afterward all runners routinely did it.
Actually🤡
He used their wake to make running easiest for him
@@toforgetisagem8145 I noticed that they were all going hard out of the gate too. Compared to watching this year's world championship 800 m races, they were all very tactical. Closer to 1 min in the 1st 400.
I watch this alot as I was a 3rd grade and your wife was my teacher , they day you brought your Gold medal to school and shared with us , was and still is a priceless memory Thank you Dave Wottle .
Wow. What a meaningful memory! Totally positive. Thanks for sharing! 😊
Wottle’s win is a great metaphor for anyone feeling beaten, like all is lost, or that things will never change. Stay in the race. Stay focused on your goal. Keep kicking and work your tail off. You’re a driver, not a passenger in life. There ain’t nothing you can’t do.
Wrong. Wottle had actually tied the world record in the 880 meters before the Olympics. This win was not an accident or metphor for perseverance.
"There ain’t nothing you can’t do." Not true... I would love to live on Pluto... somehow it ain't gonna happen. Also, this is bad advice - especially to children. There is a LOT they can't do, and rather encourange them in the things they can do.
So many platitudes, so little time….
He ran even splits. It was never “all is lost”.
@@brunosmith6925 Limit yourself -- and your children -- however you wish. Me, I'll be rooting for them to pursue their dreams. And... i think you should totally live on Pluto. Bon voyage!
I knew Dave Wottle at BGSU. He lived down the hall from me our sophomore year. He was a very dedicated athlete!!! He was also a quiet and humble person. I was glad to know him. I was so proud when he won that race.
Bruce what was the Tuition and Fees per semester then ? 🤔
I still tear up every time i watch it
Now THATS AMAZING....what a great memory for you.....
BGSU ! Haaa...! My friend went there and she called it " BIG Sue" ....I was a Bearcat at U C ...Cincinnati...great stuff
@@JW-gu9vy That is so cool!!! Did he belong to a Fraternity?
One of the greatest Olympic races ever! No Mr. Wottle, we will never forget that moment in history.
Never learned it.
It was also the slowest 800 meters in about 16 years, or 4 Olympics at the time.
@@mdteletom1288 You're correct on that one, mdteletom1
I’m 77 years young and I’ll never forget you or that race. Just incredable thanks Dave.😊
I'm 73 and remember this race like it was yesterday...
Dave Wottle was the reason I tried out and made my high school track team and competed for 3 years. Thanks for this video and the opportunity to thank him for his inspiration.
It's an example of "Don't panic and start out too fast or chase those setting unrealistic speed at the start."
The rest of the field set an unrealistic speed at the start because they were panicked Wottle always ran from the back and he was by far the fastest runner in the field. People think this is some kind of David vs Goliath example but Wottle was Goliath.
He cut it awful close running at his own pace. I don’t think the pace of the others was unrealistic, he clearly got off to a slow start and just managed to pull it off in the end.
yes & no, but he still took a big gamble being that far back, the guy in 2nd place, white shorts red shirt, did the same and almost beat Wottle...
This must surely be one of the greatest comebacks at the highest level. Well done Dave Wottle.
French Floria Guei in European 4x400m championships 😉
Donovan Bailey 100m in 1996
@@onyxlily2230 Wottle ran 800 to Bailey's 100, but his gap in the first 1/4 was way more than 8 x what Bailey had to make up.
@@davidjorgensen877 a longer race means you have more time to catch up. Bailey, after 2 or 3 false starts, still had the strenght to catch up, win, and set a new world record. I'm not saying Bailey was more impressive than Wottle. They are both amazing in different situations. If I was in Wottle's place I would have given up but I saw Bailey's race live and although I was a kid I remember what I felt.
Negative splits in the 800 is bloody insane!!
An example for all who feel behind in their lives. It is never too late.
I'm 67. I remember watching it live and thinking he would win it the entire time. He had an incredible kick and this was how he raced.
It doesn't matter how you start and how much behind you are, but what matters is how well you finish. A very inspiring video with a message to never loose hope and just keep moving on.
Knowing you gave your best, you still finish a champion.
It also helps if you're on your honeymoon.
@@davidbraxton5110 Rubbish. To be a champion you need to win.
Or, *lose hope! 👌✌
It also matter that you just tied the world record in the 880 yard and was one of the favorites going into the race.
I was 13 and this was the first Olympics I really paid attention to. I was glued to the TV set. So much happened at the ‘72 Olympics - terrorists, Mark Spitz, Olga Korbut, Steve Prefontaine,… and Dave Wottle. I remember the amazement I felt when he won. He and Prefontaine inspired me to start running distance. Great memories.
That was a great Olympics
Stop Pre shirts were a fashion statement back then. Tragic what happened to Steve Prefontaine.
I was 16 and running long distance in high school. Wottle had that trademark cap I remember.
Same here. Same age. Same feelings.
I am the same age as you. The 1972 Olympics was one of the greatest sporting events I’ve ever seen.
Never forget, not forgotten. A family screaming at the TV as we watched the race. Dad " He's going to do it, he's going to do it!".
This is the 1st time I have seen this Dave Wottle race. Thank you Dave Wottle. Your life speaks encouragement and a living example for the essential values of this life
What a runner. I saw this 50 years ago when I was 25. I could never forget the Wottle throttle and often recall it. Fantastic!🏃♂️🏃♂️🏃♂️
I think he had something in that hat
@@jmm1817 It was luck. His lucky hat, (for some reason).
So you are 75 now..?
He closed like Freight train, unreal acceleration
Yeah I remember it well, I was 18 always seemed to stand out from the rest specially when he was wearing a baseball cap.
Heart of a warrior! Impressive recovery to win Gold at the Olympic Games.
I remember watching this race with my dad. Wottle was far behind but then started moving up. My dad said " here comes the golf hat", meaning Wottle was gaining and going to win. I'll never forget it.
I was one of the many high school runners who wore a baseball cap while running cross country. I learned from Dave that consistent pace wins the race and not to be distracted by people who go out too fast. Have a plan and stick to it. I can watch this over and over again. Dave you are the best!!!!
I remember watching this race as a kid, I was jumping up and down, Dave Wottle with his cap was outstanding and was truly a great runner.🏃
The cap is almost an aerodynamic disadvantage.
Me too
NEVER in a million years would I have guessed I would have chills and more chills watching a track event. Well done.
There are some track finishes that just defy explanation. Emil Zatopek made come backs like this all the time when he was even further behind. Mind blowing. Emil (1950s) was the guy that always looked like he was ready to have a heart attack during a race, but somehow managed to keep closing the gap, closing the gap, until his predators became the prey. Everything on him is in black and white, a treasure trove of track history, a one men band of impossible finishes.
@@zeppelinmexicano I've not heard of Emil, but I'll be doing a search for some race footage. Thank you.
I like how he goes along with the theory of not giving up, he knew exactly what he was doing. This type of even pacing strategy is well known now a days. He executed it with precision!
Remember watching this on ABC…Last place after 400…saved his strength for a monumental 300 meter kick…Very smart & courageous athlete!👍🏻
Dave Wottle was not just some "nobody" in this race. He had EQUALED THE WORLD RECORD. The guy was a top runner. The field went out way too fast.
I am so glad that you pointed out that he was the world record holder in the 800 meters . He tie the world record at the US Olympic trials about a month before the Olympic Games so he really didn’t come out of nowhere to win the gold medal .
As they always do.
Thank you for telling the truth as it is. Winning is not about taking a quick start. It's about crossing the line first.
With a hat on as well. U go boy!
He was also a miler. A miler is more likely to run negative splits in the 800.
I'm British, and I've gotta say this is a great example of American never give up attitude. Brilliant and inspiring 👍
Now they all are woke
@@divyanshdwivedi9751 not all
@@divyanshdwivedi9751 half the country is not
@ Paul Yes! Well said. 👍
@@divyanshdwivedi9751 They need to be, the rest are asleep, in a nightmare of Christian Fascism.
In the 2nd lap in turns 1 and 2 observe closely at how everybody else is "tightening up" and Wottle hits his stride and relaxes and then just moves through and past them like a gentle breeze
I still remember watching this moment, the entire family screaming around the TV. Incredible.
I am not a runner, but videos like this make me so emotional. The metaphor is something all of us can relate to on a personal level.
props
You can find a video of him describing the race. He felt sluggish at the start but noticed how fast everyone was going those first 200m, so he just ran his own pace. Everyone else was burned out by the last 100m and he just sprinted for the finish to try and get a medal, fortunately it turned out to be gold! He considered himself better at the 1500m/1-mile but barely missed qualifying for the final in that race.
There is nothing more emotional than crying during a run.
I saw Dave Wottle win the High School mile state championship race in 1968 in with a 4:20 mile. To think he could improve so much to win a gold medal in the 800 meters four years later is as big of an achievement in itself. He was still in college at Bowling Green at the time when he won the gold medal.
I remember being a student at BGSU in 1971 and seeing Dave train. We all knew he was a great runner, and his becoming an Olympic Champion was a worthy accomplishment that delighted us all!
I watched this race, and I recall thinking that he was out of contention. As he started coming back, I remember feeling excited that he actually had a chance to get a medal. When he won, I couldn't believe it! Wow! What a race.
He ran his own race and WON! He was the only guy wearing a hat LOL! This race should teach people to run their own race in life and finish like a Champion for themselves and others to follow. This one race will always be remembered in history. Your my hero Mr. Wottle. Live long and keep prospering my friend.
For real the hat is the funniest part!!
He won because of the hats brim crossing the line before his opponent. Cheeky move.
@@mohitdeopujari I was also wondering about this, looked like a photo finish....minus the hat....😜😜.
I remember the event. I am 76 and still awed by your performance. One of the best and awe inspiring wins in any sport. 👍🏻🇺🇸
He studied each athletes knew exactly how this race going to be run ,he was happy from the start to sit at the back , only he knew how he was going to run his race. He timed it beautifully ,well done .
Wow! I've had a 50 year different take on his race. Hanging back was his strategy all along. and kick last 180M. The perfect timing is what makes it look so cool.
This needs to be shown in every school and explain why it’s so important to keep going! Hard work and perseverance has its reward! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
This run must be one of the all time most memorable Olympics events especially for track. What determination Wottle had.
Beautifully paced by Dave. You could see the leaders burning a lot of energy in the first 600 m and Dave picked them off and had more gas than anyone in the last 100. Fabulous.
I still remember David Wottle es after all these years. I was a young kid, and I really wasn't into sports. But I sure liked watching the guy with the magic baseball cap run, and come out of nowhere to win. Very inspirational.
I remember this race well. Was 13 at the time and watching today brought back the same heart stopping adrenaline as if I was watching and cheering on Dave Wottle for the first time. A brilliant moment in history of sport and so representative of everyday life struggles we all face. NEVER give up. Cheers everyone from New Zealand 🇳🇿 🌏💙
PERfect stated, sir. Spot on.
Hi from New Zealand 🇳🇿 too
I was 15 and remember this race like it was yesterday.!
I was 13 as well and remember it like yesterday- the HAT!
I was 14, & modeled my entire running career after this race. I just didn't have his speed.
I remember seeing this on TV with my father. My dad jumped out of his seat yelling and cheering for Dave out of excitement! Great memory and lesson! ❤
I don't know a better come from behind win ever, from any country! Still gives me goosebumps watching it!
50 years later and you look so well champion. respect.
I was introduced to the Olympics by my dad by watching this race. Also one of the first athletes my dad talked about in the Olympics.. It truly is a great achievement and memory for me.
My running coach always said that running had nothing to do with the legs, but with your breath and pacing
I've watched this race 100 times and I still get nervous that Dave Wottle isn't going to win every time I watch.
By seeing this race by Dave I can say that slow and steady always wins the race
Saw you almost everyday at BG running, you made us proud and saw your spirit. Will never forget your race.
Its not a hopeless situation when you are as calm, cool and collective as Dave Wottle.
My husband and I never have forgotten that race. We were scream and laughing, never had seen anything like it. Unbelievable
Dave Wottle was a runner that we all remember, not just for the iconic cap but for his competitive spirit and winning mentality!
I remember this race very well he's the epitome of never quit. 50 years later I am still rooting for Dave coming to the finish line like I did that day..Thanks Dave
Watched the race with my family. We were all cheering, yelling with excitement. It was an amazing time. That moment in time, family time.
It’s just one of the greatest Olympic races of all time!! Dave hung in there when things looked bleak, shocked the world with his come from behind win. It’s inspirational!!!
Brings a tear to the eye. Indomitable
They showed this comeback so many times in my youth. Wottles time would still today put him today in many finals.
Greatest comeback ever in the history of track and field.
I will never forget that race. He was the hunter the entire race.
Great comment
Easily, one of the most amazing spectacles I’d ever seen on live television in a sporting event. It continues to bring me chills.
I’ve talked about Dave Wattle’s come from behind many times over the last 50 years. It was incredible how he made up so much time in the last lap. Never give up!
I remember that race! Me and my brothers jumped up and started shouting, "Wottle, Wottle, Wottle!!!!"
Best 800 metres comeback ever ! Unbelievable. Brilliant video
I remember reading Jeff Galloways account of Wottle's run. The night before the race he recalled the pain Dave was in and how gloomy his prospects were. The next day Wottle reached deep inside himself and overcame it all. No Dave. I will never forget.
I remember watching this race on TV with my father. At first it I thought there is no way this Dave Wottle has a chance. We was cheering him on at the last stretch.
I think this gives another message for long distance Start slow Kick late
This is middle distance 🙄
it was even splits
@@diskoeric2248 53 and 52 are not considered to be “even splits”, that’s a really significant negative split.
I watched this incredible come back and I was glued to the TV. Unbelievable.
Much love to Dave Wottle.
He trained for it, hard. All he could do was win or lose. Put it all out there, paced himself, and had the reserves to finish strong. What an awesome run!
For someone to have made up all that distance, Wottle's form was impeccable down the stretch.
What an inspiring run from Wottle!
Новосибирск здесь. Я помню этого парня и этот забег смотрел в прямой трансляции. Вот что значит интеллект, тонкий расчёт, железная воля и точное исполнение. Спасибо за ролик. Тогда был СПОРТ, а сейчас - дрязги.
I cried, just cried, for being witness to such tenacity and grit.
He was a favourite to win that race...he chose to run it that way he had control of it all through ..your tears were misplaced
I remember watching this race live on TV. Quite amazing to see it unfold and no one would have guessed after 200 metres that he would win.
I'm from Ohio and I still remember that day on TV watching him out kick the rest of the field. He encouraged a lot of runners from all over the world. Thank you Dave
Definitely remember watching this race, was rooting hard for Dave. All the best to Dave Wottle. 🇺🇸🏆
Thanks Dave for a great moment from my childhood that I'll never forget!
Like John Walker in '76, Dave Wottle had injury problems leading up to the games, determination and bravery got him over the line in first place.
I remember watching Dave Wottle...so inspirational!
I have watched this video a number of times. It never fails to leave me in awe! I’m glad people can still see it.
this is the first person I've seen who sprints at the Olympics with a cap on lol. hope he still has it as a token of that wonderful moment
It was a trademark for him. Literally no one else did it.
I haven't seen this in a few years and it brings some serious tears to my eyes. I hope you're doing very well Dave.
Freakin' relentless and amazing! Well done Dave Wottle. You well and truly deserved that gold medal. That's a real demonstration of a true athlete there.
I watched him run this race and as a former 880 runner his determination and grit stuck with me. I can’t explain the enjoyment of watching him come through and win. I have thought about this race over the years and watched this video many times and it feels the same way now and I’m 65. Memories.
He seemed to have three distinct spurts, and the final 100m he just found another gear. He took the inside line for nearly the entire race before making his moves that brought him out a bit. Very memorable having seen this as a kid.
Forget about that race???!!! Impossible!!! I saw it live in 1972 and will never forget it, including Jim McKay’s thrilling call: “STAND BY FOR THE KICK OF DAVE WOTTLE!”
Just not the same without Jim's call.
This makes emotional. I need to hear that message “Never give up.”
Especially in sports, winners get remembered but not who came 2nd or 3rd. Absolutely amazing that his performance was so inspirational and remembered 50 years later. Here in Australia, many will forever remember the unexpected success of Steven Bradbury in 2002 Winter Olympics.
I was a sprinter back in 72 and soon to graduate from High school and saw the intermediate hurdler working out at College of Marin For the Olympic trials while I was practicing for my final high school races . Now I am an 800 meter runner and remember the first time I saw that race but it means much more to me now that I have actually raced that distance in masters competitions.
For what it's worth, you did your country PROUD!
I love how he finished and just walked around while the others were busy passing out.
You still are an inspiration to many people years after YOU showed the never give up spirit. Thanks so much!!
I remember his HAT. Dave Wottle, I remember that race, you and your hat were great. America still salutes you, and so do I. Doctor G.W.
The Olympics are so important to humanity. Competition is so inspiring, a source of interacting and belonging. Each of those people was giving it their all; it's great to see Dave Wottle's effort and success.
I remember this ... was watching on tv. So proud. Still am. This is when athletes had some class.
Its interesting to see such a slow first 400 meters by the leader (trust me I could never run a 52 opening 400) compared to what we now see in 800 finals at Worlds and Olympics but still came back for a respectable 1:45 finish.
Billy Mills was the same. He always came from behind at the last moments. Amazing!
One of the greatest races of all time!! Thank you David!!
I was a teenager when he raced in the Olympic Games and admired him a lot. He is to this day and ever since my favorite distance runner.