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Said Coe: "Everything with Roger is very analytical: 'Why on earth has he done that?'"
The time was slow by today's standards. Guerrouj's world record, set in 1998, is 3:26.00. Noah Ngeny's Olympic record is 3:32.07. Coe was quick to point out that Tuesday's time was far off his previous Olympic record of 3:32:53, set at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
"It's very unusual to get world records broken when there are 12 runners," Bannister said. "The concern today is to win the race. The time is purely secondary. If the time becomes too slow, then it's disappointing for everyone. So this was just about in between."
Bannister shattered an ankle in a car accident in 1975 and has been unable to run since. He had a distinguished 40-year medical career since retiring after the 1954 Empire Games and was knighted in 1975.
Last month, Bannister carried the Olympic torch on the same Oxford track where he broke four minutes. Many had considered him the favorite to light the cauldron at the opening ceremony, but that honor went to seven teenage athletes.
Tuesday's appearance at the Olympic track won't be his last.
Bannister will be back Friday for the women's 1,500.
[Associated
Press;
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