Cunningham was fastest in the heats with 3:55.8, with Lovelock
(3:58.0) and Beccali (3:59.6) taking the other two races. After
Edwards, the 800m specialist, had taken an initial lead in the final,
Lovelock led for most of the first lap, passing 400m in 60.5 just ahead
of Ny. The lead passed to Cunningham, then Edwards, as the pace
slowed to 2:04.5. These two surged ahead of the field at 900m and led
by 15m at the bell in 2:51.0, with Cornes in third ahead of Lovelock
and Beccali, fifth in 2:53.5.
Edwards drove clear of Cunningham with 300m to go (3:07.0), and
held the lead till 100m to go, Beccali, timed at 1200m in 3:09.5, began
his sprint with 150m to go and surged easily past Cunningham and
Cornes, catching Edwards just as the Canadian was beginning to tire.
His burst of speed, impressive in itself, was emphasised by the fatigue
of those behind him. He won by 10m from Cornes, who caught
Edwards as the Italian hit the tape, while Cunningham was fourth, 4m
back. Beccali’s time was the then third-fastest ever run.
Italy
Great Britain
Canada
United States
Sweden
New Zealand
Finland
France
Finland
Argentina
Denmark
Mexico
Switzerland
Australia
Brazil
Germany
