Dave Wottle

Dave Wottle (actually David James Wottle; born August 7, 1950 in Canton, Ohio ) is a former American professional middle distance runner and Olympic champion over 800 m.

As a student of Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1970 Wottle won the silver medal over 800 meters at the NCAA Championships.

The following year, he was hospitalized several injuries pause, but then won the 1500m at the NCAA Championships. About 800 meters he was U.S. champion and identified a well the world record. At the Olympic Games in Munich, he won the 800m gold medal against Yevgeny Arschanow from the Soviet Union and the Kenyans Mike Boit. Here he was after 400 m still in the last position, overtaking in the final lap the entire field. Wottle also took part in the 1500 -meter run, but could not qualify for the final run to.

As often after this particular type he could decide for his competitions, is still spoken today by the Dave Wottle strategy if a runner regards behave the first 200 meters, then zoom to run on the field and eventually overwhelm. Then the candidate normally between two equally fast laps. A more active today 800 -meter runner who runs the 800 meters in the same way, Yuri Borzakovsky is.

In 1973, he won the NCAA championship in mile run and then for a time was a professional runner. His trademark was wearing an old golf cap while participating in competitions. He was athletics coach and now works at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

Personal Best

• 800 m: 1:44,3 min, July 1, 1972 Eugene
• 1500 m: 3:36,2 min, June 28, 1973, Helsinki
• 1 miles: 3:53,3 min, June 20, 1973 Eugene