In sports, where a few seconds can make a big difference, something special happened in just 10 days in 1981. During this short time, two famous runners, Steve Ovett and Sebastian Coe, tried very hard to break a world record in running a mile. They were giants battling each other for glory.
In the summertime of that important year, there was a big competition between Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett. Both runners came from the United Kingdom and the competition caught the attention of sports fans all around the world. The race they were competing in was called the mile run. It's a race that needs both speed and endurance.
On August 19th, Sebastian Coe ran the mile faster than anyone ever had before, breaking Steve Ovett's record. He finished in 3 minutes and 48.53 seconds. But only seven days later, on August 26th, Ovett ran even faster and took the record back. This back-and-forth of records made their competition even more exciting.
Then, in Brussels, Belgium, on this day 28th August, the story changed again. Sebastian Coe did something amazing. He ran the mile even faster than before, finishing in 3 minutes and 47.33 seconds. The crowd cheered loudly as he crossed the finish line. This was his third world record in just over a week. This made him a very important figure in middle-distance running. This record was not broken again until 1985, by another runner from Britain.
The ten days when the world record for the mile changed three times showed how hard athletes work to be perfect. Sebastian Coe's ability to come back after losing and break the record again showed how great he was in sports. His accomplishments were not just about numbers. They showed a strong spirit of competition and friendship.
Check your understanding
Who were the two famous runners involved in the world record-breaking competition in 1981?
What type of race were they competing in during their world record attempts?
On which dates did Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett break and retake the world record for the mile run in 1981?
With what time did Sebastian Coe break the record on August 28th in Brussels, Belgium?
What qualities did Sebastian Coe's actions during this competition demonstrate beyond just setting records?
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