KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Olympic track legends have applauded the efforts of Nick Willis in achieving bronze in the 1500m at the Beijing Games against formidable opposition.
John Walker, who won gold in the 1500m at Montreal in 1976, told NZPA it was an "outstanding performance" at a competition where two of the top ranked runners in the world had failed to even make the semis.
"The Olympics is one of those places where reputations go out the back door. World champion means nothing. You all start from scratch because it's the person who can control the temperament on the day," he said.
"You are competing against the very best in the world under extreme conditions. It sorts the men out from the boys."
Three-time Olympic gold medallist Peter Snell hailed Willis' achievement as "a fabulous effort".
Not only was Snell excited, but also pleasantly surprised at Willis' bronze medal, saying that he had not considered him a medal chance.
"It was stunning. He's obviously run the race of his life. I could not see him as being a medallist. John Walker did but I didn't. I am glad to be wrong! It's a fabulous effort," Snell told NZPA.
Snell, who won the 800m at the 1960 Olympics and the 800m and 1500m double in 1964, said Willis' achievement was all the more impressive for the dominance by the Africans of middle distance running in recent years.
Walker said as well as their prodigious talent, African runners' unique style could wreak havoc on others' planned tactics.
"They're very unpredictable in the way they run.
"They have no respect for pace, they just run the race they want to do. They can go out very fast or they can run slower and run the last half fast."
Snell said Willis' achievement would boost middle distance running in New Zealand.
"We really needed this. We've had a drought for 32 years and that's a long time. New Zealanders feel we have a tradition in middle distance running," Snell said.
"We've always had a lot of good 1500m runners right through to Walker and Dixon and now Willis. He has probably carried more of a burden than he should have."
As to whether Willis could go two medals better in London in four years time, Snell said that it was too hard to tell. "But knowing Nick I don't think he is going to be satisfied with a bronze medal."
The race early this morning (NZ time) was won by Bahrain's Rashid Ramsi, the 2005 world champion over 800m and 1500m, with Asbel Kipruto Kiprop of Kenya second.
The 1972 1500m bronze medallist Rod Dixon told Radio New Zealand it was a "great thrill" to watch Willis perform in what has always been considered the most tactical race of all.
"I think Nick ran a great race. It really is a big thrill and a proud moment for all New Zealanders."
Willis had to fight over the last 20m to hold off Frenchman Mehdi Baala.
"The French guy almost got me on the inside... I thought I had it with 60 metres to go, but then with 20 metres I saw him on the big screen so I had to really dip.
"He screamed in despair when he realised he didn't get it."
At that stage of the race, Willis said, it was something more than sheer strength that got him through to the line.
"I don't know if it was in my legs - it was in my soul."
Walker said he knew where the extra boost came from.
"There's 91,000 people screaming for you. You just get it. It comes back from all the years of hard work. All the training you've done, the speed work on the track, the 22-mile runs. That's where you get it from."
NEW ZEALAND OLYMPIC GAMES 1500M MEDALLISTS
1936, Berlin: Jack Lovelock, gold, 3min 47.8sec, world record.
1964, Tokyo: Peter Snell, gold, 3min 38.1sec; John Davies, bronze, 3min 39.6sec.
1972, Munich: Rod Dixon, bronze, 3min 37.46sec.
1976, Montreal: John Walker, gold, 3min 39.17sec.
2008, Beijing: Nick Willis, bronze, 3min 34.16sec.
- NZPA
