1983

1983

This meet, organized by the Achilles International Track and Field Society, was called the Labatts International Track Classic Pre-Olympic meet, heralding “the return of world-class track and field to Vancouver” as the 1984 Olympics loomed the following year in Los Angeles. Pre-eminent Irish runner Eamonn Coghlan came in to highlight the international meet and the men’s mile was indeed a memorable race as Coghlan took the lead midway through the race and ran away to win in 3:54.03. Coghlan, who was fourth in the 1,500 metres at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, went on later in 1983 to win the 5,000 metres at the world track and field championships in Helsinki.