Dave Wottle - The Greatest Comeback In Athletics History? | Throwback Thursday

At the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, US-American track athlete Dave Wottle performed perhaps the greatest comeback in athletics history in the 800m run. After the first 400 metres, Wottle was still in last position. However, he then overtook all the other athletes in the last round and won Gold in front of Ukraine's Yevhen Arzhanov and Kenia's Mike Boit. Enjoy watching this epic comeback!

What is your favorite Olympic moment of all time? Let us know in the comments below and it might be featured in the next #ThrowbackThursday!


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[Olympics]

What is your favorite Olympic moment of all time? Let us know in the comments below and it might be featured in the next #ThrowbackThursday!

[scottbarnett]

I remembered watching this on TV. It made me tear up with pride! Miracle on ice and Dave Wottle are my fav moments!!

[morganwood]

He went to my middle school! We have a run dedicated to him!

[JosephDungee]

He was SO Relaxed during the whole race and just blew past ALL of those runners locking up.

[annoyed]

One of those moments that show the original Olympic spirit.

[gareth]

He walked off after the race like a savage

[steveestes]

I was 12 years old when I saw this and it inspired me to become an 800 meter runner.

[lauragilloon]

Looks like he paced himself. That was awesome to watch.

[mtsflorida]

I was MVP in track at my California high school that year and seeing that was the most beautiful run. But also even better that week was lasse viren when he was in last place at the start and fell half way through only to win. He went on to win that an the 5K and repeated in '76. Only person in history to win the double double and it started with a fall.

[MonsChase]

A kid I’ve known/been friends with for like 7 years is the grandchild of this dude! His name is Ethan Wottle

[georgep]

Omg he ran the perfect race he ran his own race☺️☺️

[yuckyool]

I remember watching this when I was 13. I was a terrible short-distance runner, but I could hold my own at 2 miles+. So inspiring!

[hoganfan]

This is one of my earliest Olympic memories. What a thrill, as the '72 games were overall a low point for American track & field. For excitement, Franz Klammer's '76 downhill run (and Bob Beattie's call) is hard to top!

[wilhelmw]

Very good quality upload I would love to see more from the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich.

[gareth]

Imagine that quiet kid waiting for everyone to tire out then throw down a killer kick

[jeal]

ABC was doing the Olympics that year. I remember watching this when it happened with Jim McKay and Marty Liquori calling the race. Their commentaries made it even more exciting!

[tenerife-man]

He never gave up, but was determined to do his best no matter what position he finished the race in. This is what you call RELAXING and RUNNING YOUR RACE.
Just great!

[musicfan]

I saw this as an elementary schooler and it's still the most exciting big track race I've ever seen...There was an indoors track relay a long time ago, 4x400 probably, early on one guy dropped the baton, picked it back up, his team actually made up the entire distance and won by a similar margin at the finish to Dave Wottle here.
Was probably collegiate at least, as it was on TV back when cable TV wasn't even popular yet.

[PaulFurber]

Love this race for many reasons but the optical illusion of his kick is the best. He ran 26 point something for every single one of his 200m splits.

[Philiia]

Two things about this race which I never tire of watching after 50 years.
Dave kept his head very still which would have been easy to spot with his iconic cap on.
The other is he won 🏆