DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Dave Wottle

It's been a long time since I thought about this guy. This was one of the greatest cold war gold medal races of all time.

No love for fellow Ohioan Wottle? Grew up in Canton, BGSU grad, was a student at the time. It was 1972, Munich, cold war going strong, Israeli athletes assasinated, coming from waaaaay behind to beat the Russian (who hadn't lost a final in 4yrs) in a photo finish for gold. This was 8yrs before the miracle on ice. I remember watching this as a 12yo and going nuts as he finished. He (and his hat) were really popular for a while after the olympics, especially in this area. This really is worth a couple minute watch.

I remember the race. The guy in the hat!

Definitely worth a watch. That dude was out of it by the second turn!

Definitely remember DW. Just haven't been on DT for a while. Bengals Superbowl had me not interested in football for a while. Loved that race. It was the first Olympics I really paid attention to. I was 11 and sadly the Israeli athletes was the prominent story. Mark Spitz and losing BB game to USSR other memories of 72.

Remember it like it was yesterday.

Guy was one of my idols... I ran the 800m in high school in college... wasn't allowed to race with a hat but I constantly wore a hat in training after Dave... still one of the best 800m I've ever watched! incredible race

I remember it.
It was amazing to see in real time.

Dave used to run past my house, my dad would always laugh at him wearing the hat. Just wonder how much wearing the hat slowed him down, ya know aerodynamics and all. lol