British stars untroubled, but Viren struggles .

Press, 26 July 1980, Page 20

British stars untroubled, but Viren struggles .

NZPA correspondent Moscow The British track stars, Sebastian Coe and Steve ' Ovett, duly strolled an- ‘ other step towards their ' first meeting for two years when they won their 8 0 0-m e t r e at the main Olympic Stadium on Thursday evening. But another of the track greats competing on the ■ first day of the Olympic athletics programme, Lasse Viren, of Finland, was almost a victim of the searing heat that has hit Moscow. Viren visibly wilted dur-

ing the latter stages of his 10,000 m heat, but he held on to finish fourth and qualify for the final of the event that he has won at the last two Olympic Games. The remarkable Finn is here to defend his 5000 m titles as well, but may pull out of that event and run in the marathon instead. He has said that he will decide which to run after the 10,000 m. Viren was not the only distance man in bother on the first really hot day of the games. Ireland’s John 1 Treacy, twice winner of the International crosscountry title, collapsed

during his heat and four others pulled out as the weather took its toll. The Ethiopian, Mohammed Kedir, who won Viren’s heat- was the fastest qualifier 28min 16.45. His teammates Miruts Yifter, the world cup champion, and Tolossa Kolu competed a clean sweep of heat wins for the Ethiopians. Neither Coe nor Ovett, favourites in the battle for both the 800 m and 1500 m golds, were troubled in their first outings on the Lenin Stadium track. Ovett characteristically took cool control of his opponents in the first

heat, and cantered through for a slow qualifying time of imin 49.65. Coe did not make any of the running in his heat, but he. kept a watchful eye on proceedings and thrust through in the last five metres to win in Imin 48.55, the equivalent of a training run for him. Both the East Germans expected to mount the strongest challenge to the British pair, Olaf ' Beyer and Andreas Busse, also got comfortably through the first round. Busse won his heat in Imin 47.4 s and Beyer his in Imin 48.95.