40 Years On: Eamonn Coghlan’s Gold Medal

On 14 August 1983 Eamonn Coghlan won the 5000 metres gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

By any standards, Eamonn Coghlan’s 1983 was an exceptional year; first that sensational world indoor mile record of 3:49.78 for the man known universally as Chairman of the Boards, then later in the summer, the inaugural IAAF World Championship 5,000 metres title - a landmark achievement in Irish athletics.

In those seven months period from February to August, Eamonn seemed almost invincible, and to athletics enthusiasts everywhere, but especially here in Ireland, he became one of the all-time greats. We had shared in his disappointment at finishing fourth in the 1500m at the Montreal Olympics, then four years later in Moscow, when he again finished fourth, this time in the 5,000 metres. Between the two, there was silver in the European Championships at Prague in 1978.

That victory in Helsinki was one of the greatest moments in Irish sport. Eamonn ran the perfect race, third at the bell, making his move 300m out, and by the time they hit the home straight it was all over - 13:28.53, and the last 1,000m at sub-four minute mile pace.

Everyone remembers his jubilation at the win 40 years ago, and at 30 years of age it was no more than he deserved.

Listen to archive recording of the race here.