1986 European Athletics Championships - 800 Meters

Steve Cram, who had reached a magnificent peak a month and a half earlier winning Gold in the 800 & 1500 at the Commonwealth Games, finds out just how hard it is to maintain top condition over a long period as he attempts to pull off the same double at the European Championships. Here in the 800 he faced a fit Sebastian Coe and Tom McKean, who had finished a distant second to Cram in the Commonwealth Games. The race produced a great three man battle over the last 200 meters.
Coe was the victor here with Cram being pushed back to 3rd by a very tough performance from McKean. Oddly enough this was Coe's first major title at the 800 meter distance. A few days later, Coe and Cram would line up against each other to see who would take the 1500 meter crown.