Viren's 1972 10,000-He Falls, Gets Up, Sets World Record

by Marc Bloom

The Race

When 23-year-old Lasse Viren arrived in Munich for his first Olympics, he carried the honor of Finland on his shoulders. The Flying Finns, led by Paavo Nurmi, had dominated distance running decades before. But since the '36 Games, Finland had not won a single gold medal. Could Viren win back Finnish glory?

As the 10,000 final got under way, the impulsive Briton, Dave Bedford, took the field through the first lap in a swift 59.9. Fast times were expected, especially after 18 runners had bettered Billy Mills' Olympic record (28:24.4) in the qualifying heats. But would Viren really be a factor? The year before, in the European Championships held in Helsinki, the Finnish capital, Viren ran 17th in the 10,000 and 7th in the 5,000. And earlier that summer, Viren couldn't buy a victory and was said to be running "like a novice."

Bedford kept up his breakneck speed, passing the first mile in 4:15, well ahead of world record pace. But he could only shake off four men in the field of 15, and among those holding close through 2 miles in 8:44, and appearing to be running with ease, was Viren. The Finn, who earned his living as a policeman and had to plea for stipends to flee the hard Finnish winter and train in the sun, had come alive a few weeks before. He'd set a world record (8:14.0) in the rarely run 2-mile and improved his 10,000 to 27:52.4, a Finnish record. The man was in shape but he still lacked experience, especially when compared to other 10,000 contenders like the Ethiopian Miruts Yifter and the American marathon hope Frank Shorter.

On the 12th lap, at 4500 meters, the field, tightly bunched as the pace had slowed, was suddenly dispersed in a spectacular collision. Viren, finding himself running up on Emiel Puttemans of Belgium, put out a hand to steady himself. In slowing, Viren backed toward Shorter, who extended an arm for protection, swerving to avoid contact. Viren fell, and as he did his legs tangled with those of Mohamed Gammoudi of Tunisia, who cartwheeled onto the infield. For a few long seconds-what must have seemed like eternity for the whole of Finland-Viren lay sprawled on the track, practically motionless. Then he rose, like a statue come to life, and gave chase. However, Gammoudi, 34, the 1968 Olympic 5,000 champion and bronze medalist in the 10,000, looked dazed. He struggled to his feet, resumed running and quit after another lap and a half.

Viren, the novice, was back in contention. Gammoudi, the Olympic veteran, was finished. Viren caught the field and moved ahead at 6,000. Then Yifter took the pace, then Viren took it again. At 8,000, the split was 22:17.6, now slower than Ron Clarke's world record pace. Bedford's recklessness had done him in, and he fell back. There were 5 laps to go and the leaders-Viren, Puttemans, Shorter and Spain's Mariano Haro--measured their effort, waiting for someone to surge.

With 600 meters left, Viren drew ahead. He was 5'11" but so lean he looked taller. At the bell, Viren led Puttemans by 3 yards and Yifter by 10. Shorter, who'd set an American record (27:58.2) in the heats, was gapped and would place 5th, improving his record to 27:51.4. Shorter was no match for Viren's kick. No one was. Viren, who'd run in the Finnish junior ranks only three years before, roared the last lap in 56.4 for the gold medal. His time was 27:38.4, breaking Clarke's 7-year-old world record by one second. Puttemans was 2nd and Yifter 3rd.

A week later, on the same day when Shorter would win the marathon, Viren completed his double with the 5,000 title in 13:26.4, an Olympic record. And four years later in Montreal, Viren repeated his feat, collecting gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000, an unprecedented 5-and-10 "double-double." He also dared to run the marathon, placing 5th. The aura of the Flying Finns had been restored.

Eyewitness: Viren on Viren

Even today, I am unable to explain why I fell. It is also needless to question what I thought when it happened. Consciously, at least, nothing more than 'chase them quickly.' But I lost my nerve for a moment. I caught them too soon, then I went to the lead. I suppose I had such a great amount of adrenalin in my blood that I got that aggressive subconsciously. Some have said that Shorter pushed me and it is rumored that some Americans even have apologized for it. But I did not feel anything like that, and there is no proof in the films taken. I had luck because I did not injure myself.

(as quoted in the 1973 book, "Finnish Running Secrets," World Publications)

Eyewitness: Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic Marathon Champion and 10,000 Finalist

When Viren lost his balance, I was positioned behind and outside of him. As he backed toward me, I instinctively extended my left hand out, to keep him from hitting me. I knew he was going down. I wanted to be able to block him so our legs would not tangle. It was like Viren got sucked under and had no way to stay on his feet. But we never touched. I was able to stay out of his way as both he and Mohamed Gammoudi hit the track. In that split second, it did not occur to me that Viren would not get up. In an Olympic final, you can't count anyone out, even a fallen runner. Two years later, in a 5,000 at Zurich, I took a fall, got up and placed 2nd. In Munich, Viren had the attitude of a man who would win the gold medal. I think he realized immediately that the fall did not cost him that much. He could re-group and run in lane one with plenty of time to catch the field. Viren showed me a smart runner with excellent competitive instincts. When Viren did pull ahead again, he slowed the pace briefly, to his advantage. And on the last lap he ran away from us.

After placing 5th in the 10,000, Frank Shorter won the Olympic marathon a week later.

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