The medals would now be contended between Abascal, Coe and Cram, although Kenyan Joseph Chesire would try his best to stay in touch with the leaders. As Cram made his move in the final 300 metres, Coe countered, glancing over his shoulder towards the younger man before surging in front of Abascal. As they approached the finishing straight, it was clear that this was very much a domestic affair, a British battle between old and young, past and present. Immediately Coe accelerated, leaving Cram for dead, covering the final 100 metres in 12.7 seconds, as incredibly he stormed to gold in a new Olympic record time of 3:32.53 (surpassing Kip Keino's 1968 effort). "Sebastian Coe, back at his best, is the Olympic champion again" declared Coleman, as ever giving a precise assessment on what had unfolded. As Coe crossed the finishing line, he had certainly proved the doubters wrong, and he was about to let them know this in no uncertain terms.

Coe immediately turned his attention to the press trackside, angrily getting his point across to the members of the journalistic profession that perhaps he wasn't finished after all. Speaking to the media after the event, Coe said: "I rate that alongside any of the world records I have broken, that was the best I've felt for two years." His gold medal had completely vindicated the selectors' decision to show faith in him, and he still remains the only man to have defended an Olympic 1500m title. Cram was magnanimous in defeat, admitting: "Seb was brilliant. My plan was to get in front with half a lap to go, but I just couldn't get there. Seb was always in control. I'm satisfied with my silver - I know I got beaten by one of the all-time greats." So true.

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