The recent debate about Mo Farah’s performance in the London Marathon and his ability to match the success he’s had on the track, has failed to acknowledge the huge gap he’d leave in British middle distance running, if he was to move up permanently.
This year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will stir personal memories of the summer of 1986, the last time the Games were held in Scotland. As a spectator in Edinburgh, I was fortunate to witness Steve Ovett, lead an English 1-2-3 home in the 5000 metres, with Jack Buckner taking silver and Tim Hutchings bronze.
The games were marred by a 32-nation boycott and with no Kenyans, in particular, the men’s middle and long distance categories were severely weakened. Even so, the three medallists all had pedigree. Apart from Ovett’s exploits, Jack Buckner became European Champion, later in the summer in Stuttgart, and World Bronze medallist the following year. Hutchings would take Bronze in Stuttgart and silver, on two occasions, at the World Cross Country Championships.
In fact, of the eighteen medals available over the 1986 Commonwealth Games and European Championships men’s 800, 1500 and 5,000 metre disciplines, fifteen were won by British athletes, including all six golds. Eight runners in total medalled that year: the others being Peter Elliot, Tom McKean, Steve Cram, Seb Coe and John Gladwin. Of this list, all but Gladwin would appear on the podium at a global competition (Olympic Games, World Championships or World Indoors) at least once in their career.
In stark contrast, in the last twenty years, along with Sir Mo of Oregon and Teddington, only one other British male middle distance specialist has won a medal on the world stage: Andrew Osagie with two World Indoor bronzes at 800m. (Admittedly, Osagie has the potential to win more medals and was unlucky to finish last in the fastest 800m final ever at London 2012.)
As well as his 5,000m and 10,000m double at the World Championships last year, Farah also broke Cram’s long-standing British 1500m record with a time that would ‘ve won him the title at this distance in Moscow. Who’s to say gold, in Rio, isn't waiting at the end of three and three quarter laps?
If he ultimately decides to concentrate solely on the Marathon, the void will be felt, not only by the British middle distance selectors, but also by championship spectators who have had their evenings in the stadium lit up by the great one’s finishing kick.
Edinburgh saw the Ovett wave for the last time, at a major championships. One hopes this isn’t the end of the Mobot.
Source: DSG
