Tokyo emulated Helsinki in having two preliminary rounds, which then
became the standard for the event. Britain’s Simpson was the fastest in
the first round with 3:42.8, while another Briton – Whetton – became
the first man to run under 3:40 without being an automatic qualifier.
Placing fifth in the first semi, won by Snell in 3:38.8, Whetton had to
wait for the second race before making the final as the fastest loser.
Burleson won a tight finish in 3:41.5, which saw Wadoux just edge out
new star Kipchoge Keino as both ran 3:41.9.
Bernard again led an Olympic final, passing 400m in 58.0 before
deciding to abandon the role of sacrificial rabbit. The pace began to
dawdle and Davies took over the lead, with laps of 62.5 and 58.8,
speeding up slightly from the 1000m point (2:30.3). The race was set
up for the kickers – Burleson and Snell. The Kiwi attacked with 250m
to go and the race was effectively over. His next 200m took just 25 sec-
onds and his margin into the straight was 6m, which he almost doubled
in the last 100m, despite consciously easing down. Behind him Odložil
won the sprint for silver, edging Davies and Simpson, with Burleson
clearly disconsolate at the superiority of Snell. Like Elliott before him,
Snell had won the only major 1500m championship in which he took
part.
New Zealand
Czechoslovakia
Great Britain
United States
Poland
France
Germany
Sweden
Canada
Kenya
Belgium
Yugoslavia
Switzerland
IVC
Ireland
Jamaica
MAL
Colombia
Chad
South Vietnam
Finland
Italy
Iran
Australia
Thailand
Turkey
Madagascar
Austria
Luxembourg
South Korea
Liechtenstain
Pakistan
Portugal
Ethiopia
Soviet Union
Hungary
Japan
Ghana
Hong Kong