"- Oh, Dear! The clock failed me and I missed the morning hours at work...sorry, boss!" Even this natural and common event gets humans nervous and unsure, might even cause sings of abasement in some of us. But how about setting wrong alarm and missing the Olympic Medals?
The men's 100 meter's race event at the 1972 Summer Olympics, Munchen was held on 31st August and 1st September. The young Americans, Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson had both set a new Wold Record of this sprint event during the US Olympic Trials, two months before the Olympic Games and were both favorites to win the gold medal in Munchen.
At Munchen, both - Hart and Robinson and also a third American sprinter, Robert Taylor qualified easily the morning's first round heats and reached the quarterfinal heats. All the American runners went back to the Olympic Village, to relax, warm-upping and stretching, taking a little nap and setting the alarm well before the 2nd round at 6pm as told by their coach.
At 4:15pm the all three Americans met at the Village and turned on the tv - it was the men's 100 meter's race there coming. They all thought it was the replay of the morning's 1st round - but soon they all realized the pictures were live. Confusion set in, then panic - almost at a state of "death emergency" they all rushed for the stadium...for Hart and Robinson, running the 2nd round in the 1st and 2nd heats it was too late. Taylor was scheduled for the 3rd heat - he was able to reach it, barely. Taylor, only by heavy sweating was able to change to his sport clothes on and running shoes too.
Valeri Borozov, USSR - having the Ukrainian nationality won the both events in Munchen 1972 - men's 100 meters and 200 meters. He beat-up the American World Record Holders, Hart and Robinson, whom were eliminated due missing their 2nd round run. The third American, Robert Taylor, who barely reached the quarterfinals, still reached the finals and finished for the Silver Medal.
World Rankings. The WR-holders, Hart and Robinson didn't make to be like superstars in sports. Hart ran Gold in team USA 4x100m with Taylor in 1972 Olympics. Hart didn't ever again reach the prominent mach, but did coaching in the US with a great success. Robinson did also coaching - still, his record remains fairly unknown. Taylor, winning the Silver Medal in the 100 meter's race in Munchen also won Gold in 4x100m event for Team USA. In the American rankings, Taylor is voted for the best US athlete and also in the World in the 100 meters event from 1969 to 1972.
Valeri Borozov by a surprise and unexpectedly won Double-Gold in Munchen. Counted together, he won 19 Medals in the international prominent games (European Championships and the Olympic Games).
The Medal Sharing in Munchen 1972 of the men's 100 meter's race. Valeri Borozov - USSR (center) won gold having an Ukrainian nationality. Robert Taylor (USA and left) won the Silver Medal. If the coach didn't give the false information, probably more American athletes would have given a medal in this race.
