Rate this video
Navigation » Videos » Jim Ryun - Mile World Record (23 Jun 1967)
Rating: 5/5 (1 votes cast)
33 views
» Jim Ryun - Mile World Record (23 Jun 1967)
Jim Ryun can be said to be the founder of world class American running. I give him my respect. Just out of curiosity, who would you say was the better athlete for their time, Ryun or Webb.
Comments (2)
Leave a comment
wrote on Jun 7, 08 at 09:35 AM
Webb has yet to prove himself in major championships. Ryun won silver in Mexico. Back in the 60's there was no IAAF World Championships. Had there been these championships in '67 and '69 then I think there would've only been one winner - Ryun. Until Webb wins a major medal (he undoubtedly has the talent) then I would have to say Ryun is the better athlete.
wrote on Jun 7, 08 at 09:44 AM
Ryun could have ran 3:49 for the mile in June/July 1967. More help with pacing and a synthetic track surface would have made this possible. If he had done this, he would have held the record until the Coe/Ovett era. An athlete ahead of his time. Imagine if he had been born 10 years later - Ryun v Ovett in the 1977 World Cup or Ryun v Coe in the 1984 Olympic final in LA. Fantasy stuff I know, but that is how good the guy was!