In the sixth and final part of our series on Seb Coe's running career, Steve Smythe looks at the final three years of his competitions

The first three parts of this series are available on the AW website here. The final three parts are available to subscribers exclusively in the AW Clubhouse.

Seb Coe's last few seasons did not go exactly to plan. There was no 5000m, no records and no major championship medals although he did contest his first Commonwealth final.

He was devastated to miss the Olympics after originally being selected but his Olympic place was inexplicably taken away by the British Amateur Athletics Board (BAAB), though he showed enough in his 1989 season and World Cup run in particular to show the British federation made a major error in 1988.

» The first part of our ‘Coe chronicles’ looks at his greatest top 10 races. Click here to read.

» Part two analyses his early races as a teenager. Click here to read.

» Part three covers Coe’s races from 1976 to his first world records in 1979. Click here to read.

» Part four covers his competitions from 1980 to 1983. Click here to read. 

» Part five looks at the 1984 to 1986 seasons including his second Olympic gold. Click here to read. 

» Part six, here, revisits the twilight of his racing career from 1987-1990.

1987

Nike Chingford League 5M, Victoria Park, February 7

3rd 23:20 (PB)

An indoor tour in the USA had to be cancelled due to flu and he returned to competition at this probably slightly short course He was beaten by Steve Crabb (23:00) – who would gain Olympic selection the following year – and evergreen UK road racer Keith Penny (23:04).

Hillingdon 5, Ruislip, February 15

8th 23:43 (PB)

On this tougher course, he found the competition hard too though was only 21 seconds down on the winner Peter Tootell (23:22). Kevin O’Connor (23:23), Karl Harrison (23:24), Penny (23:35), Nick O’Brien (23:38), Andy Catton (23:40) and Gary Ribbons (23:42) all enjoyed the scalp of the double Olympic champion.

The 1974 European 10,000m silver medallist Tony Simmons (23:46) and Dumpleton (his English Schools conqueror 15 years earlier at nearby Hillingdon Park) ran 23:57 to complete the top 10.

England v USA 3000m, Cosford, March 13

1st 7:54.33

With all eyes on him making his serious track debut at 5000m in Zurich in the summer, he opened his track campaign with that in mind and just missed his PB as he took the lead just after the bell in completing a smooth-looking 2:33 final kilometre to win from Brian Abshire’s 7:55.49 (see right).

Thames Valley Harriers Relay, Cranford, March 28

3.5M: 16:15 (fifth fastest)

In his fourth successive running - previously 16:16, 16:15 and 16:08 - he maintained his consistency and ran leg four moving from fourth to second.

Basildon’s future UK 10,000m record-holder Eamonn Martin set off 20 seconds clear of Steve Harris - Britain’s leading runner in the European 10,000m and he incredibly ran Martin (16:11) down with a stunning 15:47 fastest leg to win by four seconds.

Southern 12-stage Road Relay, Wimbledon, April 4

3.3M: 15:26 (second fastest)

He ran leg four moving from sixth to second and predictably only his team-mate Harris was faster with 15:12 as Haringey finished just 21 seconds down on the winners Luton in finishing a very close third.

British League 800m, Portsmouth, May 9

1st 1:46.18

In his outdoor track debut and still insisting he was focussing on a fast 5000m for the season, and having done no real speedwork, he showed how sharp he was following John Gladwin through 400m in 53.8 and then kicking past the Commonwealth 1500m runner-up (1:46.81) 80 metres out.

He won by five metres in a British League record. His last 400m was around 52.2. He also produced a 46.8 4x400 leg.

An Achilles tendon injury though would stop him doing any more track races in the season and he was unable to take up his World Championship selection.

1988

East Rutherford 3000m, New Jersey, February 13

DNF

His return race after a nine-month break could not have gone much worse. Not at full fitness he was lapped in a race won by Brian Abshire (7:41.57) though curiously Coe dropped out with just 200m to go

At the meeting Peter Elliott, who was to be a thorn in Coe’s side in the summer, set a UK indoor mile record.

England v USA 3000m, Cosford, March 12

2nd 8:05.80

He finished but was well beaten by his England team-mate and the World Championships 1500m representative Adrian Passey (7:57.84) in what would prove to be his last ever indoor race.

TVH Road Relays, Cranford, March 19

16:12 (3rd fastest) Team 4th

Quicker than 1987 and within range of his best ever time, he moved up from 10th to third on leg three though was surprisingly outkicked at the end of his leg. Only Olympic 10,000m finalist Nick Rose (15:56) and Mike Williams (16:11) were quicker.

Southern 12-Stage Road Relay, Wimbledon, March 26

15:24 (3rd fastest). Team 2nd

This time he was 15 seconds down on 1987 but he did easily run the fastest on leg eight and in his silver medal winning team. Overall though he was a lot slower than fastest leg Ovett (who was otherwise going to have a poor 1988) who ran 15:03 and John Sherban (15:17). Coe did not run for Haringey in the National 12-stage.

Middlesex Championships 800m, Enfield, May 14

1st 1:48.8

In his first outdoor track race for a year, he again supported his county, having unusually missed last year’s race through injury. He produced a fairly similar performance to 1986 where he also ran a 52.9 second lap as he easily beat Neil Ovington (1:51.6).

GB v USSR/France 800m, Portsmouth, June 19

1st 1:48.63

The time was slow but a 51.88 second lap did see off UK champion Paul Herbert (who ran 1:45.64 in the recent UK race but 1:49.22 here).

Lausanne 800m, June 24

2nd 1:45.50

After two slow races, he produced his fastest time since 1986, following James May through a 50.25 first lap to be well clear into the second lap. In blustery conditions, he was still five metres clear as he hit the straight but was picked off by fast finishing world 1500m champion Abdi Bile’s 1:45.25.

Peugeot Talbot Games 800m, Crystal Palace, July 8

1st 1:46.13

Coe must have thought he had done more than enough for Olympic 800m selection when he ran a perfect tactical race and strong last 200m to sprint past future Olympic champion Paul Ereng (who ended up fourth in 1:47.14) as Steve Heard followed him home in 1:46.69.

Peter Rono, who would win the Seoul 1500m, was ninth in the 1500m while the future 5000m winner John Ngugi was outsprinted by Paul Davies-Hale, who did not even make the GB team.

Rapperswil 1500m, Switzerland, July 31

1st 3:37.74

Needing a qualifying time for Seoul at the longer distance, he comfortably achieved it but unfortunately picked up a cold.

AAA Championships 1500m, Birmingham, August 8

4th heat 3:45.01

He had complained all season of the controversial first two past the post system and with Cram having won the Dream Mile in 3:48.85 and doing the 800m here, he knew he had to run the 1500m even though he was the reigning double Olympic champion if he wanted to guarantee selection. Unfortunately, illness meant he was struggling and even if his heat he was fading in the last 200 metres.

Subsequently, he was well beaten by Passey (3:43.64), Steve Halliday (3:44.54) and Mark Kirk (3:44.55) and he failed to make the final even as a fastest loser where he would run have against Ovett on an UK track for the first ever time.

The final was won by Elliott (3:44.48) and Crabb (3:45.33) who secured their Seoul places.

The 800m was won by Cram from McKean who confirmed their two-lap places though ultimately both would bow out in the 800m quarter finals in South Korea. The selectors chose Coe at 800m and Cram for 1500m for the third spot in the team but sensationally the British Board refused Coe’s selection and chose Elliott to double which ultimately caused an ill-judged media frenzy (mostly against Elliott).

It meant though after four Olympic medals in the previous two Games he wouldn’t even be in the British team. The IOC even discussed giving him a wild card spot but that was never followed through.

Berlin 800m, August 26

2nd 1:47.87

In a slow tactical race, McKean (1:47.60) comfortably outkicked Coe, who was at least now back to full health.

Koblenz 800m, August 28

2nd 1:43.93

If Koblenz did nothing to show the British Board they had made a mistake, this race may have shown that writing off Coe was a mistake. He couldn’t hold world indoor champion Jose Luis Barbosa (1:43.34) but with his fastest time for three years he did beat 1:42.28 man Sammy Koskei (1:44.06) and showed he would surely have made the Seoul final at the very least.

The bronze medal there ultimately was taken in a fast race in 1:44.06.

Rieti 1500m, August 31

3rd 3:35.72

His one decent 1500m of the year and his final race of the season did not prove he would have necessarily have been a factor in Seoul at this distance as he lost to future world indoor 3000m champion Gennaro di Napoli (3:34.72) and Passey again (3:35.14) but he did beat Olympic selection Crabb (3:36.24).

1989

TVH Road Relay 5x3.5M, Cranford, March 25

16:11 (3rd fastest)

After saying he would never run for Britain again after Seoul, he changed his mind and was selected for the European Indoor 800m, but had to withdraw with a calf injury and returned to competition in his almost annual trip to Cranford. His sixth and final run came after a successive 16:16, 16:15 and 16:08, 16:15 and 16:12! He moved from eighth to second. Only Swansea’s Nigel Adams (15:59) and Geoff Hill (16:03) were quicker.

South of England 12 stage Road Relays, Wimbledon, April 1

15:41 3M 553 yds (8th fastest)

Running leg six, he moved Haringey from eighth to fourth but it was his slowest ever time even though he was easily his club’s quickest on the six short legs and contributed to their team silver and did overtake former English National champion Bernie Ford.

Ovett was eight seconds quicker than Coe with an equally modest run on leg eight but for once over the same distance. The 1983 World Championships 5000m representative Dave Clarke was easily fastest with 15:07 with Seoul Olympian Crabb (15:20) second best.

Middlesex Championships 800m, Enfield, May 20

1st 1:47.2

He kept his county run of wins going but had his hardest race in the event yet as Crabb (1:47.9) finished five metres down with Richard Lynch (1:48.0) also close by.

Euro Clubs Championships 800m and 1500m, Belgrade, June 3/4

1st 1:46.60, 1st 3:51.89

Haringey could only finish fifth but he easily won his two races with a reasonable 800m and a tactical 1500m victory.

Birmingham Invitation 800m, June 24

1st 1:46.83

The race was part of the Britain v Soviet Union v Germany match though came the day after the actual match 800m won by McKean in 1:48.10.

Olympic 400m hurdler Martin Gillingham blasted the first lap in 49.77 with Coe right behind. He was still on world record pace at 600m but died a death in the last 100m and completed his second lap in not much under 57 and only just about held off Kevin McKay (1:46.94).

Roverto 800m, July 21

1st 1:45.97

Again his winning margin was just 0.11 of a second ahead of a fellow Brit and this time he was followed in by 1983 European Junior champion Ikem Billy (1:46.08) who had never been so close before.

Viareggio 800m, August 2

1st 1:46.04

He kept his unbeaten run going this time outsprinting Senegal’s Moussa Fall.

AAA Championships 1500m, Birmingham, August 13

1st 3:41.38

At the fourth attempt he finally won a AAA 1500m title but not without difficulty. Crabb fell just before the bell and in stumbling and having to hurdle Crabb (pictured below), Coe lost 15 metres and hurt his hamstring. He gradually closed and then produced a stunning 25.4 last 200m to easily run down Britain’s European Cup representative Tony Morrell (3:41.93). His 51.8 final circuit also ensured a spot in England’s Commonwealth Games team and got him Britain’s World Cup spot.

A very upset Ovett, who finally got to run against Coe on a British track, just went through the motions and was 9th in 3:45.85 having claimed Andy Norman had exclusively offered him money to compete against Coe.

Zurich Weltklasse 1500m, August 16

2nd 3:34.05

Ten years after setting a world record he returned to Zurich for the last time and was given a big send-off. In his fastest 1500m for three years, he was well placed throughout and produced a 54.8 last lap despite a tight hamstring after his stumble at Birmingham.

However, he was two metres short at the finish behind Kenyan Wilfred Kirochi (3:33.85), who would go on to win the silver medal at the Commonwealth Games and the next World Championships.

Cologne 800m, August 20

4th 1:45.13

Through 800m in just inside 52 seconds he did set a clear season’s best and had a good battle throughout the last lap with European Cup 800m winner McKean (who would also win the World Cup) but the Scot held him off to finish third in 1:44.89 but both were well down on winner Ereng (1:44.01).

Berne 800m, August 29

1st 1:43.38

All those who had written Coe off as yesterday’s man were made to look foolish as he ran his fastest 800m for four years and went second in the world rankings. He followed the pacemaker through 400m in 50.7 and then pushed clear along the backstraight and held his form well to win by over 10 metres from Babacar Niang (1:45.07). Tony Morrell (1:45.13) was fourth.

World Cup 1500m, Barcelona, September 9

2nd 3:35.79

In what proved to be his last great race, Coe moved ahead at 1200m (2:57.74) and began to accelerate. He led into the straight but world champion Bile, the world leader at 3:30.55, kicked up to his shoulder and then cut across him. This caused Coe to check his stride and try and kick again and he finished four feet down having covered the last 300m in 38 seconds despite losing a few metres.

Bile won in 3:35.56 with Jens-Peter Herold filling the same position as the Olympics in third. The British team protested but the appeal was inexplicably thrown out 2-1.

McVities 800m, Crystal Palace, September 15

1st 1:45.70

Eight years after pacing him to a still-standing world record in Florence, world 800m champion Billy Konchellah led through the bell in 50.74 from Coe (51.6) but Coe was ahead at 500m and well clear at 600m in 77.85.

As it was his last ever race in Britain, he chose to cruise in and wave to the crowd in the knowledge that he had also sewn up a Commonwealth 800m place too. Billy, already confirmed in the Auckland team, was 10 metres back in second in 1:46.81.

Coe received a standing ovation from the crowd at the stadium where he had set a 1:56.0 PB 16 years earlier.

1990

Hobart 1000m, January 4

1st 2:21.0

In his first track race of a new decade, he comfortably held off 1982 Commonwealth 800m champion Peter Bourke (2:21.5) in very windy conditions.

Sydney 800m, January 14

1st 1:47.66

After a 55.5 first lap, he went to the front and with a 52.1 last 400, he comfortably held off Brian Whittle (1:48.18) and Matt Yates (1:48.46), two athletes who would ultimately beat him in Auckland (pictured below).

Commonwealth Games 800m, Auckland, February 1

6th 1:47.24 (1:49.83 ht, 1:47.67 semi)

After only finishing fourth in his semi final and unable to change pace, things did not look promising for Coe and he struggled in a rough and messy final finishing sixth ahead of an equally poor McKean (1:47.27).

Little-known Kenyan Sammy Tirop (1:45.98) was a shock winner with Yates (1:46.62) also surprising with a huge PB and his late sprint ensured he was a clear UK No.1 ahead of Whittle (1:46.85) in fourth.

Afterwards it transpired Coe had a respiratory infection and he subsequently withdrew from the 1500m heats and his career was over. Elliott, in his greatest ever form, easily won the 1500m in 3:33.39.

Photographs by Mark Shearman

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Part five of Steve Smythe's six-part series on Seb Coe's middle-distance running career looks at Los Angeles 1984 and Stuttgart 1986

The first three parts of this series are available on the AW website here. The final three parts are available to subscribers exclusively in the AW Clubhouse.

The period from 1984 to 1986 was a good one for Seb Coe after the lows of 1982 and 1983. He survived a scare at the Olympic trials to make the team and successfully defended his Olympic title and though he was easily overshadowed by Cram in 1985, he had a solid season and came back in 1986 to finally win a major 800m title.

» The first part of our ‘Coe chronicles’ looks at his greatest top 10 races. Click here to read.

» Part two analyses his early races as a teenager. Click here to read.

» Part three covers Coe’s races from 1976 to his first world records in 1979. Click here to read.

» Part four covers his competitions from 1980 to 1983. Click here to read. 

» Part five, here, looks at the 1984 to 1986 seasons including his second Olympic gold.

» Part six revisits the twilight of his racing career from 1987-1990. Click here to read.

1984

Thames Valley Road Relays, Cranford, March 31

3.5M: 16:16 (fastest leg)

Not having raced for eight months, and returning after serious illness, his fitness was surprisingly good as his leg three run saw him take over in 20th and make up 10 spots with the fastest overall leg though Ccross country international Deon McNeilly (16:18) came close.

You’d think there would have been great interest in the Olympic champion’s return but the report and result did not appear in AW until May 12 six weeks later!

Southern Road Relay, Wimbledon, April 7

3.3M: 15:07 (fastest leg)

His team (Haringey) could only finish eighth but again his endurance was promising and his was the quickest overall short leg from Julian Goater (15:17), who had surprisingly made the final of the first ever World Championships 5000m and had been the only Briton to do so.

National 12-stage Road Relay, Sutton Park, April 21

3M: 14:00 (2nd fastest leg)

He moved up from 11th to fifth on leg four but missed out on the overall fastest leg by just a single second to Highgate's future 2:10 marathoner Mike O’Reilly.

Middlesex Championships 800m, Enfield, May 19

1st 1:45.2

He had opened his track season with a 46.8 British League 4x400m leg the week before but his first individual race saw him make his Middlesex debut having been born in Fulham. He led through 400m in 52.0 and held on well with a 53.2 final circuit to win by almost five seconds from Hamish McInnes (1:50.0).

Southern Championships 1500m, Crystal Palace, June 2

1st 3:43.11

His first 1500m of the year saw him run a 53.0 last 400m as he passed British Olympic Trials 5000m winner Eamonn Martin (3:44.39) with 80 metres to go.

AAA Championships 1500m, Crystal Palace, June 24

2nd 3:39.79

With world champion Steve Cram and world record-holder Steve Ovett pre selected, only one place in Britain’s Olympic team remained and this was seen by everyone as the Olympic trial.

Coe survived a few early pushes and trips but was in front at the start of the last lap ahead of Peter Elliott, who had been fourth in the 1983 World Championships 800m but wanted to double in Los Angeles.

His rival went ahead 250m out but Coe passed him at the beginning of the straight only to buckle in the last few metres as Elliott (3:39.66) was much the stronger. Some thought that would mean Coe would have to focus on the 800m, for which he was pre selected but the selectors ignored concerns that he may still not be fully healthy and they controversially chose him to double over the Trials winner.

Oslo 800m, June 28

1st 1:43.84

Just five days after his stunning loss to Elliott, Coe showed more familiar form following the pacemaker through 400m in 51.03, then decisively kicking to victory ahead of James Robinson (1:45.12), who had run 1:43.92 in the US Trials and failed to make their team in fourth spot.

Coe’s time meant he became the first ever runner to break 1:44 five times.

Brigg Mile, Haringey July 4

1st 3:54.6

In a largely solo run, Coe put together laps of 59.8, 60.7, 58.0 and 56.1 to complete his competitive preparation for the Olympics. Second was Kirk Dumpleton (4:08.1) who had beaten both Coe and Ovett in the 1972 English Schools race, 12 years earlier.

Olympic Games 800m, Los Angeles, August 6

2nd 1:43.64 (1:45.51 semi, 1:46.75 and 1:45.71 heats)

No one was able to seriously challenge Joaquim Cruz who put together the greatest ever quartet of 800s -1:45.66, 1:44.84, 1:43.82 and 1:43.00 on successive days, and it was the first time athletes had ever had to cope with such a gruelling timetable.

The winning time was the third fastest in history after Coe’s two world records. However, Coe ran brilliantly for his second successive silver but he was far happier this time than he was in Moscow. But for Cruz of course, Coe’s time would have easily been an Olympic record.

Coe’s 200m splits were 24.52, 26.77, 26.64 and 25.71 and he survived a minor clash in the straight as he passed Edwin Koech and fought off bronze medallist Earl Jones (1:43.83) but it made no difference to his medal.

It was his third best ever time after his record runs. Afterwards he proved he was better at running than prophecy as he said: “That was my last chance for an 800m title.”

Olympic Games 1500m, Los Angeles, August 11

1st 3:32.53 (Olympic record) (3:35.81 semi)

While Coe’s sequence of 800m races was of no comparison to Cruz, no athlete had ever gone into into his main event with such a quality series of 800m races and he completed an astonishing Games with a brilliant victory that smashed the Olympic record. This made him Britain’s most successful ever Olympic athlete.

The fast time was even more notable considering the first lap was a cautious 58.85. With the 90,000 crowd roaring its approval, Steve Scott decided he had to make it a more honest race and he took the lead at 500 metres and powered through 800m in 1:56.81 with Coe just behind in second.

Scott was not in the same shape as his world silver medal winning form of 1983 and as he slowed he was overtaken by Jose Abascal just before 1000m.

The Spaniard (2:39.04) led at the bell from Coe (2:39.28) who was followed by Cram and Ovett – though the latter who had finished last in the 800m had chest pains and dropped out 350m from the finish to end the dreams of a British clean sweep.

Coe moved up to Abascal’s shoulder at 1200m (2:53.21) to complete a 56.29 third lap. With 200m to go, and just as Cram made a move, Coe responded himself and kicked ahead to go three metres clear on the bend and then kick even faster in the straight, holding his form magnificently, to more than double his margin.

His last lap was a spritely 53.25 and his time took well over two seconds off Kip Keino’s 16-year-old Olympic record of 3:34.91. Cram was not at his fittest after injury but was a clear second in 3:33.40 but Coe seemed unbeatable that day and many think he would have beaten anyone – even today’s best – in that sort of form.

Zurich Weltklasse 1500m, August 22

1st 3:32.39

A 55.0 first lap was promising but the second was a pitiful 60.9 and any record chance went. The bell time was very similar to the Olympics (2:39.2) but this time Coe - looking unbeatable again - blasted a 53.2 final circuit but only worked hard in the final 200m. Scott showed a return to form to place second about eight metres back in 3:33.46.

This was Coe’s fastest time since 1981 and less than half a second from his PB, despite the pacemakers failure. He injured his foot after the race and had to end his season missing a number of races including the 2 miles at the IAC/Coca-Cola meeting.

1985

5x3.5M Chingford Road Relay, March 16

16:37

In his first race for over six months, he maintained his club’s lead on leg three but they lost out on victory due to Basildon's Eamonn Martin’s fastest leg of the day (16:03). Coe was only the fourth fastest of their five-man team.

Thames Valley Road Relay, Cranford, March 30

16:15 (fastest leg)

Running leg three, he set off in tenth place and moved up to third just five seconds off the lead. His time - a second quicker than 1984 - was the fastest overall by 13 seconds from Pete Barratt. His team eventually finished a close second to Aldershot.

Southern 12 Stage Road Relay, Wimbledon, April 14

Short leg: 15:23

He ran the fastest stage on leg six, moving his team to seventh and they ultimately finished fifth. This was much better than his Chingford run and overall only world steeplechase medallist Colin Reitz (15:17) and Martin (15:19) were marginally faster though his performance was overshadowed by Ovett’s 23:23 at the back of the field for the long leg which was easily the day’s fastest.

National 12 Stage Road Relay, Sutton Park, April 27

14:27

Not warmed up properly after a late arrival, he felt a sciatic twinge and eased back and was only sixth fastest overall in moving Haringey from 25th to 19th on leg four and his team finished 16th. Billy Dee (14:00) was fastest which matched Coe’s 1984 time.

British League Division 1 800m, Birmingham, May 11

1st 1:49.37

In his seasonal track debut, he ran his slowest 800m for six years but did run a last lap of around 52.5 in defeating Roland Weedon (1:50.59).

Middlesex Championships 800m, Enfield, May 19

1st 1:44.0

This was his best ever county performance and he ran a 51.0 first lap and then ran a 25.9 200m to pass 600m in 77.0 (sub 1:43 pace) but though slowing he held his form well in a 27.0 last 200m to just miss his UK all-comers' record (1:43.97) from 1978.

He won by five seconds from former European finalist and AAA champion Pete Browne (1:51.0).

European Club Championships 800m/1500m/4x400, Haringey, June 8/9

1st 1:48.37/1st 3:47.27/47.2

He began with the 1500m and a 52 last 400m easily disposed of Olympic bronze medallist Abascal (3:48.14). In the 800m the following day he ran a 25 last 200m in defeating World Indoor Games winner Coloman Trabado. In the relay Haringey finished second with Coe's 47.2 grittily holding off individual 400m winner Angel Heras by a hundredth of a second.

Coventry Games Mile, June 16

1st 3:54.5

He ran Coventry’s first sub-four minute mile with a relaxed 53 final lap to win by 30 metres from Alan Mottershead (3:58.7).

England v USA 800m, Birmingham, June 21

1st 1:46.23

Coe won courtesy of a 25.79 last 200m but was given one of his toughest ever tests in a domestic 800m as Cram (1:46.46 - on the first part of an amazing track season) pressurised him all the way down the straight.

Peugeot Talbot Games 800m, Crystal Palace, July 19

1st 1:44.34

He had missed a month’s racing including the AAA Championships due to illness and niggles and a need to get back into hard training. He was originally scheduled to run against Cram at 1500m but Cram withdrew after setting a world 1500m record earlier in the week and chose to run the following day’s mile and instead Coe decided to switch to the 800m and take on Olympic champion Cruz for a better race but Cruz refused to run against him at late notice.

AAA champion Jose-Luis Barbosa led at a fast pace in 51.08 at 400m but was powerless to deny Coe’s 26.3 last 200m. Barbosa ran 1:45.11.

Bislett Games Mile, Oslo, August 3

3rd 3:49.22

He was just behind Cram at the bell but had no answer to his fellow Briton’s 53.0 last lap, losing contact with 200m to go and finishing almost three seconds behind the world record (3:46.31) with Jose Luis Gonzalez (3:47.79) also passing him.

IAC Grand Prix International Mile, Crystal Palace, August 2

2nd 3:56.89

A lower back problem and pinched nerve stopped him fully striding out on the last lap and he was narrowly beaten by Pierre Deleze (3:56.70) though he did close in the straight.

Zurich Weltklasse 1500m, August 21

2nd 1500m 3:32.13

Coe looked easy at 800m in 1:52.9 and was ahead at the bell in 2:36.58. However, having missed some training he was not at full strength and produce his usual kick and he was unable to drop Deleze who was roared on by a partisan home crowd and sprinted past in the straight to complete a 55 last lap and run a Swiss record 3:31.75 and go ahead of Coe on the all-time list as Coe only missed his PB by 0.18 of a second.

Cologne 800m, August 25

2nd 1:43.07

It was the first time in eight years that he lost four races in a row but it was a top quality race - his fastest non-world record run. He was just behind Cruz at 400m (49.9) and 600m (75.6) but could only manage a 27.5 last 200m as Cruz proved much the stronger and won in a world-leading 1:42.54.

He was due to run a 1500m against Ovett in Brussels the following week but he suffered a recurrence of his back problem and withdrew and ended his season early.

1986

National Indoor 3000m Championships, Cosford, January 25

3rd 7:55.58

The run of losses continued - his first indoors for 10 years - but in his first race of the winter he was very close to his PB when winning this title in 7:55.2 in 1982. He was in contention at 2000m (5:20.8) but was unable to follow the sustained bursts of Billy Dee and Dave Lewis who put in a 2:00 800m with Lewis winning in a track and championships record 7:49.61 from Dee’s 7:49.97.

UK v Hungary Indoor 1500m, Cosford, February 8

1st 3:45.65

He returned to winning ways producing a 26.6 last 200m to defeat team-mate Mark Kirk (3:47.01).

England v USA Indoor 3000m, Cosford

1st 7:54.32 (PB)

Six weeks after his loss to Lewis, he was much fitter this time and he set his first outright PB (barring a 2000m debut) since his world mile record in 1981. At 2000m (5:25.0) he was five seconds down on his January time but he was comfortably able to follow Lewis’s 2:01 800m injection of pace to the bell then power past in the last 80 metres with a 28-second last lap and win by a second from Lewis (7:55.43).

Thames Valley Harriers Relay, Cranford, March 29

3.5M: 16:08

Running on leg three, he took Haringey into the lead with his fastest ever time but he was slower than the Czech Klimes’ twins Pavel (15:57) and Petr (16:02) though a second faster than Keith Penny and Mike Gratton.

Southern 12 Stage Relay, Wimbledon, April 6

3.3M: 15:09 (second fastest)

He moved from 11th to third on leg four with a strong run well over a minute quicker than his five team mates on the short leg. He was second fastest to AAA 10km champion Steve Harris whose 14:48 took four seconds off Ovett’s lap record.

British League Division 1 1500m, Haringey, May 11

1st 3:45.27

In his outdoor track season opener, he ran a 39.8 last 300m to win easily from Alan Salter (3:49.86).

Middlesex Championships 800m, Enfield, May 17

1st 1:47.9

After a slow 55.0 opening lap he kicked in an extravagant 25.7 200m followed by a more modest 27.2.

Madrid 800m, June 4

1st 1:45.66

In windy conditions he led through 400m in 50.8 and though slowing held on to win by over two seconds from world silver medallist and 1:43.56 performer Druppers (1:47.76).

Hengelo 1500m, June 27

1st 3:34.32

Having controversially missed the AAA Championships but still seeking a team spot at both 800m and 1500m at the two Championships, he showed after a minor injury his exceptional form. He enjoyed a clear win over Abascal (3:35.38) in one of the fastest times in the world.

Stockholm, 800m, July 1

2nd 1:44.17

American Johnny Gray won in a world leading 1:43.85. Coe was eight metres behind at 400 (50.8) and was still five metres back at 600m (77.0) and closed it to three at the finish to at least set a then European and Commonwealth leading time for the year which looked promising with the upcoming Championships.

Beverley Baxter 1000m, New River, July 16

1st 2:14.90

In very windy conditions, he was paced to just short of 600m, but eased round to 800m before unleashing a 25.9 last 200m to set a world lead and win by eight seconds from Matt Barnes. The previous lead was Cram’s 2:15.77 a few days earlier.

Peugeot Games 800m, Crystal Palace, July 19

1st 1:44.10

He easily gained revenge on Gray (1:44.72) being just behind the leader at 400m (51.27) and then kicking hard 270m out.

Commonwealth Games 800m, Edinburgh, July 28

3rd semi 1:48.07

After winning his heat in 1:53.13, he struggled four hours later and finished third – a place up on Paul Forbes of Scotland. However the virus which affected his breathing and made him feel the worse he has for any race and he scratched from the final which was impressively won by Cram (1:43.22).

Zurich 1500m, August 13

2nd 3:35.22

He returned after illness and showed good form with a 53 last lap but showed poor concentration as he eased off slightly and was pipped by Scott (3:35.14) on the line.

European Championships 800m, Stuttgart, August 28

1st 1:44.50

Eight years after first trying to win a major outdoor title over two laps, he finally succeeded as he ran one of his greatest tactical races. Last at the bell, he moved up on the outside on the second lap as Tom McKean held Cram off on the final bend before easing past both in the straight as Britain got a historic clean sweep of the medals.

His last 200m was a superb 24.7 though he only won by a metre from an inspired McKean (1:44.60) and a disappointed Cram (1:44.88) who was not at his sharpest after a calf injury and was some way below his Edinburgh form.

European Championships 1500m, Stuttgart, August 31

2nd 3:41.67 (3:39.03 ht)

While he was perfect tactically in the 800m, he was too far back at the bell when Cram made a predictable long kick for home and though he got the gap down to four metres along the back straight, he lost another metre in the last 200m as his rival (3:41.09) ran a superb last 300m of 37.9 and final 400m of 50.9.

Rieti 1500m, September 7

1st 3:29.77 (PB)

Seventeen years earlier, Peter Coe drew up a projected progression in the hope that his son (then aged 13 with a PB of 4:31.8) would see a 3:30 in 1980.

Six years late he reached the target smashing his PB by over two seconds with a world lead but he frustratingly missed the world record by only 0.31 of a second to go equal third all-time behind Said Aouita (3:29.46) and Cram’s (3:29.67) world records.

Through 800m in 1:52, he looked on schedule at 1200m in 2:48.10 (Aouita was only 2:49.4 in his world record). He finished well but not quite as quick as the Moroccan and his 55 last lap left Maree - whose PB he equalled - 25 metres in arrears. The American (and former South African) ran 3:33.44.

McVities 800m, Crystal Palace, September 12

1st 1:44.28

This was announced as his final international 800m and decathlete Eugene Gilkes paced him through 400m in 50.66 and he was alone through 600m in 76.6 which is 1:42 pace.

He found the last 200m tougher though and he covered it in a laboured 27.7 but still won by over two seconds from world junior champion David Sharpe (1:46.40).

Photographs by Mark Shearman

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In part four of a six-part series on Seb Coe's racing career, Steve Smythe looks at his build up to the Moscow Olympics, world records and subsequent illness

The first three parts of this series are available on the AW website here. The final three parts are available to subscribers exclusively in the AW Clubhouse.

Seb Coe ended 1979 as the BBC Sports Personality of the Year and was the sport's biggest and brightest star going into Olympic year.

The pressure was on and the subsequent 1980 season went well with one major exception. The 1981 season arguably went even better than 1979 but 1982 and 1983 saw major problems that put his 1984 Olympic preparation in doubt.

» The first part of our 'Coe chronicles' looks at his greatest top 10 races. Click here to read.

» Part two looks at his early races as a teenager from 1971 to 1975. Click here to read.

» Part three covers Coe's races from 1976 to his first world records in 1979. Click here to read.

» Part four, here, looks at his competitions from 1980 to 1983.

» Part five covers the 1984 to 1986 seasons including his second Olympic gold. Click here to read.

» Part six looks at the twilight of his racing career from 1987-1990. Click here to read.

1980

Loughborough Match 3000m, Crystal Palace, April 23

1st 7:57.4 (PB)

Started the season with a modest PB.

Yorkshire Championships 5000m, Cudworth, May 11

1st 14:06.2 (PB)

The previous year he was the county 400m and 800m champion and here he made a winning debut at a distance he was then saying he would take seriously and do as a future championship distance.

UK Inter-Counties Championships 800m, Birmingham, May 26

1st 1:45.5

He put together laps of 52.9 and faster 52.6 to defeat Rob Harrison by 25 metres.

AAA v Loughborough 800m, June 5

1st 1:45.0

In a solo run, his laps were 51.3 and 53.7 and later he also produced a 46.4 relay leg.

Northern Championships 800m, Hull, June 7

1st 1:44.7

He set a world lead and at this stage of the season he owned four of the world’s five fastest times of the year as he followed Steve Caldwell through a 52.0 first lap and he won by three seconds from the Bolton man.

UK Championships 400m, Crystal Palace, June 15

8th 47.10 (47.78 heat)

David Jenkins won in 45.29 to confirm his Olympic team spot but Coe, who blasted through 200m in 22 seconds, tied up and ended up last in a quality race that saw three Britons inside 46 seconds for the first time in the same race.

Bislett Games 1000m, Oslo, July 1

1st 2:13.40 (world record)

Not at his very best with a throat infection, he was not helped by over zealous pacemaking and running a 51.0 first lap.

He passed 600m in 77.8 and 800m in 1:45.2 with a 30 metre lead. His last 200m was a painful 28.2 but it was enough to take half a second off Rick Wohlhuter’s world record.

Willi Wulbeck closed in the last 200m to finish second in 2:14.53. This gave Coe four world records though he would lose the Mile record to Ovett (3:48.8) later in the evening at the same meeting.

Olympic 800m final, Moscow, July 26

2nd 1:45.85 (1:46.61 semi, 1:48.44 heat)

He suffered his first 800m defeat for two years as he ran a terrible tactical race in what was one of the most hyped and anticipated races in history.

He was last at 400m in 55.3 and failed to react when David Warren then Nikolay Kirov and Ovett accelerated down the back straight and he was fifth 10 metres back at 600m.

He closed a little on the final bend to move up to fourth and then moved past Kirov into second 20 metres out, but he made little impression on Ovett (1:45.4) despite a sub-25 last 200m and he finished a deeply disappointed second three metres back on his rival.

Olympic 1500m final, Moscow, August 1

1st 3:38.40 (3:39.34 semi, 3:40.05 heat)

Ovett’s undefeated 1500m and mile run ended at 45 races as Coe made up for the 800m with a perfectly executed run after having been written off by many after his 800m.

The first 800m was a terribly slow 2:04.9 and then East German Jurgen Straub blasted a 54.2 third lap and Coe was quickest to react and on his shoulder.

He was still trailing by a few metres 200m out but he closed up as he began to hit the straight and a double kick took him away from the German, having run the last 400m in a brilliant 52.2.

Ovett, unable to raise himself after his 800m win, was a well beaten third (3:39.0) and was not even able to get past a delighted and inspired Straub (3:38.8) in the last few metres.

IAC/Coca-Cola 800m, Crystal Palace, August 8

1st 1:45.9

A rather modest quality race in front of a 18,000 capacity crowd, was easily won from fellow Olympic finalist Warren (1:46.9).

Zurich Weltklasse 1500m, August 13

1st 3:32.19

If the previous race was solely to ensure he won easily, this was a top quality line-up (arguably stronger than Moscow) against Scott and Walker who missed the Olympics due to the boycott and Bayi who won a medal in the steeplechase.

The first 800m was on world record pace at 1:52.6 but the third lap was a poor 59.0 and Coe found himself surprisingly ahead with 500 metres to go with all his rivals lined up behind him.

He held himself back until the last 100 metres and then produced a superb kick to take over a second off his rivals led by Scott (3:33.33) and Walker (3:33.49) and despite his slow middle, he only missed the world record shared by himself and Ovett by 0.1 of a second and he clearly was in shape to break it easily.

Viareggio 800m, Italy, August 14

2nd 800m 1:45.07

A day after his 1500m, he was not at his best and he was narrowly beaten by American Don Paige (1:45.05) who had also won the 800m in Zurich and ended the season as world No.1 in the rankings.

Coe suffered a slipped disc shortly after and missed the rest of the end of season races.

1981

AAA Indoor Championships 3000m, Cosford, January 24

1st 7:55.2

In his first indoor race for two years, he produced a 27.3 last 200m, 56.2 final 400m and 2:33.2 final kilometre to hold off Yorkshire rival Ken Newton (7:55.8) (pictured below).

Great Britain v East Germany 800m, Cosford, February 11

1st 1:46.0 (world record)

With no intention of a world record but pressurised for 600m by fellow double Olympic finalist Andreas Busse (1:47.1) he put together laps of 25.7, 26.6, 27.2 and 26.5 to take half a second off Carlo Grippo’s four-year-old world record.

UAU Championships 400m, Crystal Palace, May 3

1st 46.9

In his first outdoor track race of the year, he showed good speed with victory over one lap.

Yorkshire Championships 800m, Cleckheaton, May 17

1st 1:46.5

His annual Yorkshire title gathering saw him go back to two laps.

Philips Night of Athletics 800m, Crystal Palace, June 3

1st 1:44.06

He led all the way to set a world lead and run his third best ever time.

His splits were 24.7, 27.1, 26.6 and then a vicious 25.7 to end the challenge of Garry Cook (1:46.04). He also ran a 45.7 relay leg.

Florence 800m, June 10

1st 1:41.73

Future world champion Billy Konchellah led at a perfect pace through 200m in 24.4 and 400m in 49.7 with Coe following in 24.6 and 49.9 and then going ahead 50 metres after the bell. There was no slowing down in the third 200m stretch as he ran a superb 25.1. He was not able to maintain that near 1:40 tempo up but he still produced a 26.7 last 200m which took half a second off his previous record.

Astonishingly, this meant he was now 1.72 seconds quicker than anyone else and the average of his top five runs was 1:43.27 when no one else had run faster than 1:43.44.

European Cup Semi Final 800m, Helsinki, July 5

1st 1:47.57

A year after struggling to get past him in the Olympic final, Coe’s 24.5 last 200m easily destroyed Kirov (1:49.11) by well over 10 metres as Britain won their first ever overall semi final and surprisingly defeated Russia.

Oslo Games 1000m, July 11

1st 2:12.18 (world record)

Running slightly more evenly than his record of the previous year, he put together splits of 25.6, 25.7, 27.1 and 26.2 - moving him through 800m in a staggering 1:44.6 and then he held on well enough with a 27.6 last 200m to take over a second off his world record.

It would last as a world record for 18 years until 2000 Olympic 1500m champion Noah Ngeny ran 2:11.96 and since Coe's run only the Kenyan has gone faster in the 39 years since Coe's run.

He won by nearly 50 metres and close on seven seconds from future 1500m global medallists Jim Spivey (2:19.03) and Jose Abascal (2:19.57).

Leicester 1000m, July 19

1st 2:17.6

This was his first 1000m race that he did not set a world record in! He won comfortably from Steve Cram (2:18.5) and American 1500m champion Sydney Maree (2:19.5).

AAA Championships 800m, Crystal Palace, August 8

1st 1:45.41 (1:45.84 heat)

He won his first ever senior outdoor AAA title with splits of 25.1, 27.6, 27.1 and 25.6 to easily beat Loughborough-based Sudanese Omer Khalifa (1:46.75).

European Cup Final 800m, Zagreb, August 16

1st 1:47.03

He took the lead at 200m and passed 400m in 54.81 and then wound the pace up finishing with a stunning 24.6 last 200m to easily defeat a top class field including future world champion Wulbeck (1:47.72) and reigning European champion Olaf Beyer (1:47.73) and Kirov (1:48.1).

Weltklasse Zurich Mile, August 19

1st 3:48.53 (world record)

Tom Byers led through the first quarter in 56.13 and 1:53.59 but was struggling and dropped out at 1000m and Coe went ahead and was down on Ovett’s 3:48.8 record schedule as he completed a 58.09 third lap as he hit three-quarters in 2:51.68.

He had hoped to even challenge the 1500m record enroute but his 3:33.27 time was half a second slower than Ovett in his mile. However, he finished strongly with 15.26 for the last 109 metres and took a few tenths off Ovett’s record. Mike Boit (3:49.74) set an African record in second.

IAAF Golden Mile, Brussels, August 28

1st 3:47.33 (world record)

Coe’s record only lasted a week before Ovett (3:48.40) responded in Koblenz but Ovett’s mark would last just two days. Byers paced again but this time was healthier and he ran perfect splits of 54.92 and 1:52.67 and Coe’s only worry was that he caught Byers’ heel down the backstraight on the penultimate lap and he had a slight stumble.

Coe went ahead with 500 metres to go but held back initially as he went through three-quarters of a mile in 2:51.9 which was down on Ovett’s time as he still had Boit close behind him. He was through 1500m in 3:32.93 and then impressively changed pace in the finishing straight to take a whole second off Ovett’s mark.

His last 109 metres was a lightning fast 14.30 and his finishing burst took two seconds off of Boit who set an African record (3:49.45).

World Cup 800m, Rome, September 4

1st 1:46.16

After a slow 54.4 opening lap, Coe went ahead at 500m and led through 600m in 81.4 before unleashing a 24.8 last 200 with most of the damage done in a 12.0 last 100m as he won easily from American James Robinson (1:47.31).

World junior record-holder Joaquim Cruz was only sixth (1:47.77) but would gain his revenge three years later!

1982

Yorkshire Championships 1500m, Cudworth, May 16

1st 3:39.1

The traditional county championships supporting this time saw a move to 1500m but no change in the winning.

Bordeaux 2000m, June 5

1st 4:58.85

The endurance looked promising as he reeled off a 2000m PB as a scheduled 3000m was on the cards against Ovett in a lucrative future series of races that ultimately never took place due to injuries.

The Briton won the race from Alex Gonzalez (4:59.59) and Pierre Deleze (4:59.75) with European 5000m winner-to be Thomas Wessinghage also inside five minutes in fourth.

Zurich 800m, August 17

1st 1:44.48

After a two month break from competition due to injury, he returned with a 1:46.5 time trial at Nottingham to confirm to the European selectors he was healthy and this run two weeks later took away all doubts and made him a huge favourite for Athens.

His time just missed Steve Cram’s world lead (for the whole year) by three hundredths of a second. A distant second was East German Detlef Wagenknecht (1:45.02).

Talbot Games 800m, Crystal Palace, August 20

1st 1:45.85

Three days later in a less celebrated line up, he put together splits of 25.8, 27.8, 26.0 and 26.3 to comfortably defeat Garry Cook (1:46.35).

Cologne 800m, August 22

1st 1:45.10

In his third race in five days he followed Hans-Peter Ferner through a 52.3 first lap, and then kicked away to win easily from Robinson (1:45.74).

BAAB Heinz Games 4x800m, Crystal Palace, August 30

1:44.01 leg (1st WR 7:03.89)

He probably did not need another race so close to the Europeans but the BAAB insisted everyone Athens-bound needed to turn out.

The early legs from an unfit Peter Elliott (1:49.14), Garry Cook (1:46.20) and Steve Cram (1:44.54) (pictured below) set up a potential record despite windy conditions. Coe blasted a 49.1 first lap in a 1:44.01 contribution that meant the British team took four seconds off the Soviet’s world record.

European Championships 800m, Athens, September 8

2nd 1:46.68 (1:48.66 heat and 1:47.98 semi)

It seemed to be a formality that Coe would win after easily winning his heats in style the previous two days. He looked at his best when he cruised through the first lap ahead in 53.24 and into the straight he kicked away from the field and it looked all over.

However, he tied up halfway down the final straight and was passed 30 metres out by the ninth-ranked Ferner (1:46.33) who had previously failed to even win a German title and had been well behind Coe in Zurich (1:45.27) and Cologne (1:45.97).

Coe was later diagnosed with glandular fever and he withdrew from the upcoming 1500m in Athens and the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Had he been able to replicate his form in his four previous 800m runs, he would have won easily.

1983

GB v France 1500m, Cosford, February 12

1st 3:42.60

In his first race since Athens and his first indoor 1500m for seven years, he stretched out after the bell and covered the last lap in a scintillating 25.5 to take three seconds off Didier Begouin (3:45.74).

England v USA 800m, Cosford, March 12

1st 1:44.91 (world indoor record)

Colin Szwed paced it perfectly through 400m (50.99) and Coe took up at the pace after 530m. Though claiming he was not race sharp, he took over a second off his two-year-old world record.

His splits were 25.2, 26.0, 27.2 and 26.6. No one else had ever run faster than 1:46.4 indoors but Peter Elliott was a fine second in 1:46.71.

Norway v England 1000m, Oslo, March 19

1st 2:18.58 (world indoor record)

In his fifth race in Oslo, he set his fifth world record and 12th overall.

On a very tight track, Szwed again did a good job leading up to 700m and he kicked in a strong last lap to take a second off a mediocre world record that was very infrequently contested and previously held by Paul-Heinz Wellmann (2:19.1). His splits after a very heavy training week were 27.5, 28.1, 28.1, 28.4 and a fine 26.5.

Emsley Carr Mile inc GB v USSR, Birmingham, June 5

1st 4:03.37

It was the slowest Emsley Carr winning time for 18 years as a 26 second last 200m saw off John Gladwin (4:04.86) and European 1500m runner-up Kirov (4:05.16), who had been so close to him in the Moscow 800m.

Loughborough v AAA 800m, June 12

1st 1:44.99

On the new track, Coe ran a questionable tactical race (shades of Moscow) and was only seventh at 350m and he was unable to get ahead 200m from the finish when Steve Caldwell held him off but he kicked ahead 150m out and won from Graham Williamson’s Scottish record 1:45.6. Coe’s laps were 52.7 and 52.3.

Paris 1500m, June 24

2nd 3:35.17

He suffered his first defeat at the distance for seven years not helped by being pushed off the track in the first 100 metres and losing 10 metres He was ahead at the bell in 2:39.9 and looked to be in control as he hit the straight ahead and kicked but, just as in Athens, he was unable to sustain his kick and he was run down by Jose-Luis Gonzalez (3:34.84).

Bislett Games 800m, Oslo, June 28

1st 1:43.80

If there were any concerns that he might be suffering like Athens they were dispelled by this run as he ran his fastest time since his world record and it was his third best ever behind his two world records.

James King led through 400m in 51.27 and Coe was ahead at 600m in 77.8 but this time he was able to produce a superb kick and complete a 26.0 final 200m as he set a world lead.

Rob Druppers was a distant second (1:44.75), a position he would match in the World Championships.

Talbot Games 1500m, Crystal Palace, July 15

2nd 3:36.03

The alarm bells rung again as he hit the front 500m out and looked to be in control. He held off Craig Masback 200m out and led into the straight but was unable to find his normal kick and he was easily run down by European indoor 3000m champion Dragan Zdravkovic who won comfortably in 3:35.28 in front of a shocked 17,000 capacity British crowd.

AAA Championships Invitation Mile, Crystal Palace, July 23

2nd 3:52.93

An invitation mile was controversially held within the Championships and he was well beaten by World Championships 1500m favourite Steve Scott (3:51.56) as he suffered his first mile loss since 1976 and this made his mind up not to contest the 1500m at Helsinki.

Gateshead Games 800m, July 31

4th 1:45.31

AAA champion William Wuyke set a fast pace of 24.98 and 51.45 and Coe moved up on the second lap and was on Wuyke’s shoulder as he hit the straight and though not finding any notable kick, looked like he might win 40 metres out before slowing.

Cram, who was at the back at the bell and only fourth into the straight, finished superbly to narrowly win in 1:45.03 from Wuyke (1:45.07). Elliott (1:45.25) also got the scalp of Coe, who lost at 800m to a Briton other than Ovett for the first time in a decade.

While his Oslo 800m proved he could still win global title, he withdrew from the Helsinki 800m and said his two-lap career was over as he had planned to run the 5000m in Los Angeles. It was later found he had glandular toxoplasmosis and he was not able to get back into full training until March the following year.

Photographs by Mark Shearman

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