Walker beaten by Coe

Press, 15 August 1980, Page 20

Walker beaten by Coe

NZPA-Reuter Zurich, Switzerland

Britain’s Sebastian Coe outsprinted John Walker, his predecessor as Olympic champion, to win the second fastest 1500 m of the year at the top-class Weltklasse Games in Zurich yesterday. Coe, who holds the world record jointly with his fellow countryman, Steve Ovett, clocked 3min 32.2 s — one tenth of a second outside the world mark.

Steve Scott, of the United States, was second and the New Zealander, Walker, was third. Coe, who established the present world record at Zurich a year ago, stuck close behind Ireland’s Ray Flynn as he took the field through 800 m in Imin 52.555. But Coe was forced to go it alone when Flynn dropped out and in spite of his usual blistering finish he was unable to make the record his own again. Walker and Scott tried desperately to stay with the 1500 m Olympic champion as he kicked for home off the final bend. But neither had the pace to stay with Coe, and his electrifying burst took him 10m clear of Scott, who just pipped Walker for second place. Scott’s time was 3min 33.33 s and Walker’s 3min 33.495.