Strategy

Strategy is important in distance races. Knowing how much energy to conserve in the early stages of the race, and when to accelerate toward the finish line, are often keys to victory. In this photo from the 1984 Olympic 800-meter final, eventual gold medalist Joaquim Cruz of Brazil is running second, silver medalist Sebastian Coe of Great Britain is sitting fourth while bronze medalist Earl Jones of the U.S. is sixth. From left to right: Jones, Billy Konchellah of Kenya, Coe, Johnny Gray of the U.S., Cruz and Edwin Koech of Kenya.