Seb Coe 1981 European Cup 800m final

Another superb demonstration by the then world record holder, Seb Coe, in his greatest season, 1981. The European Cup used to be held at the end of every other season, and represented a much more important competition that the current European Team competition held at the beginning of each season. In July 1981 Coe ran in the Europa Cup semi final competition in Helsinki over 800m to help guarantee the British team a place in the final, held in August in Zagreb. Both races were relatively slow and tactical, but in each Coe displayed finishing kicks of unrivaled power. In Helsinki he won in 1:47.57 with a last 200m of 24.5 and the fastest last 100m ever recorded in an international 800m race, 11.3! The final here was won in 1:47.02, with a last 200m of 24.6 and a last 100m of 11.9. The manner of his victory over the 78 European Champion Beyer, and the future 1983 World Champion Wullbeck, was decisive, and put him in good stead for his first Mile world record of the season, 3 days later in Zurich.