Rider's legends: Seb Coe

After the low Sebastian Coe triumphs in Moscow

BBC Olympics presenter Steve Rider highlights some of the great Olympians from the pages of history.

Going into the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow the big question surrounding the middle distance events was not so much could a British runner win but, more simply, which Brit would it be?

Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett were at the height of their powers and their head-to-head battles in the 800 and 1500m were the most eagerly anticipated races of the Games.

At these events there were no equals. Ovett had not been beaten over 1500m and the mile for 42 races, leading up to the Olympics, and the year before Coe had broken the 800, 1500 and mile world records inside a groundbreaking 41 days.

Rivals: Coe and Ovett

The two rivals had not raced each other for two years which only added to the aura surrounding the Moscow clashes.

Pundits

The pundits were confident of the outcome - Coe would win the 800 and Ovett the 1500.

"I was by some distance the fastest on paper over 800 but the Olympic Games historically is one the most brutal disregarders of current form and status," said Coe.

"Steve was about two seconds slower but was the clear favourite in the 1500m."

The form book was turned upside down. Coe would take home gold but only after the suffering the lowest experience of his career.

In a slow 800m final it was Ovett who took gold while Coe, who left the final charge too late after struggling to read the race, was left to reflect on a personal tactical nightmare.

Coe retains 1500m title in Los Angeles

"I have always said that if you wanted to commit every cardinal sin that it was possible to commit at 800m inside a minute-and-three-quarters that's the vidoe to watch," sad Coe, who had to settle for silver.

Coe admitted he froze on the day but had a second chance to make amends in the 1500m.

"I had the job of pickingmyself up and recognising that I was lucky," he said.

"I had the great advantage of knowing that I could get back into the arena a few days later and try to improve on matters."

Triumph

Coe did improve on matters in the 1500m final as on the final curve he kicked into the lead and held off the challenge of Ovett and surprise silver medallist Jurgen Straub.

"It was a race that I had to tell myself there were no tomorrows," said Coe.

"Afterwards it was complete relief that you've got there and you are going to go away from the Games with a gold medal."

Sebastian Coe: Political moves

Coe came back from a serious illness to win another gold medal four years later in Los Angeles when he defended his 1500m crown, pipping the latest British middle distant star Steve Cram.

It was the first time any man had retained the 1500m title.

After retiring, Coe moved into politics, becoming a Conservative MP at the 1992 general election but losing his seat in 1997.

He has since been made a life peer and is private secretary to Tory leader William Hague.