Ovett 1:46.1 . . . Black 27:54.2 . . . Hartley 49.65 . . . Stewart drops out
800 METRES
Steve Ovett retained the title in the second fastest time of his career (1:46.1), but was far from being delighted. "I'm not sure whether I'll run or not in Nice; I must talk it over with my coach and my parents. I'm not really running well - only just the best in Britain". Ovett was indeed given a very tough race by Pete Browne, who had not run faster than 1:47.8 for two years (and only qualified for the final as a fastest loser) but here finished a first-rate runner-up in 1:46.4. The fast times (seven men inside 1:48.1 were due to Browne who led from the break and passed 400 in 51.8. Ovett challenged Browne towards the end of the backstraigHt of the second lap, was held off ("it was difficult to make up leeway against the wind", said Ovett), and forced his way past at the 600 mark (78.6). "He cut me up a bit", said Browne without bitterness. "I hit him a couple of times", Ovett agreed, "which is a bit unfair. I could have been disqualified and I would not have argued". Ovett entered the final straigHt 3m up. glanced back to find to his surprise that Browne was so close, and had to figHt hard to conserve a safe margin. Dave McMeekin enjoyed his best run of the year, and behind him there were personal bests for Tony Settle and Peter Lewis.
(Heats, Friday, 1st 2 & 2 fastest losers to final) Ht 1: 1, S. Ovett (B&H) 1:49.5; 2, N. O'Shaughnessy (Rol) 1:50.0; 3, J. Chivers (W&B) 1:50.7; 4, R Wich (Poly) 1:53.2; 5, J. McCarthy (Gosf) 1:53.6; 6, A. Mottershead (MAC) 1:54.4. Ht 2: 1. A Settle (Sale) 1:48.1; 2, D. McMeekin (VPAAC) 1:48.1; 3, P. Browne (TVH) 1:48.2; 4, P. Haltiner (Switz) 1:50.7; 5, R. Weatherburn (ESH) 1:50.7; 6, E. Coffey (Ex B) 1:54.1; 7. S. Trew (Enf) 1:55.2. Ht 3: 1, B. Dyce (Jam) 1:49.3; 2, M. Winzenricd (USA) 1:49.3; 3, P. Lewis (B'ham U) 1:49.9; 4, E. Takacs (Can) 1:50.2; 5, S. Markley (M'bro) 1:52.2; 6, A. Dyke (Swan) 1:53.6; J Davies (Sale) dnf.
Final: 1. OVETT 1:46.1; 2, BROWNE 1:46.4;3 O'SHAUGHNESSY (Rol) 1:468; 4, WINZENRIED (USA) 1:46.9; 5. DYCE (Jam) 1:47.4;6. McMEEKIN 1:47.6; 7, SETTLE 1:47.6; 8, LEWIS 1:48.9.
Ends
Source - Athletics Weekly - Saturday, 09/08/1975 by Mel Watman
Ref 2968