by Barry Anderson  Now that nearly a month has passed since the London 2012 Olympics, there is still one memory that stands beyond all others as a favorite moment of the games. There is also one race that ranked above all others in terms of quality of performance…and may be one of the best races ever run.

The men’s 800 meter final was, at least for me, an unexpected display of middle distance excellence. What was expected was that David Rudisha would win the gold medal. This Kenyan was the world record holder entering the competition at 1:41.01 and had the leading time in the world going into the Olympic competition with an impressive 1:41.54 in July. Rudisha basically lead from the gun with a 49 plus opening 400 and became the first to ever run a sub 1:41 with a new world record of 1:40.91. The most amazing thing about the race was what was happening with the other seven finalists.

The second place finisher, 18 year old Nijel Amos from Botswana, established a world junior record of 1:41.73 and tied for the 3^rd fastest 800 meter runner ever with Sebastian Coe. In total, there were three national records set, and seven out of the eight runners recorded personal best times…the other had a seasonal best.  Five runners ran under 1:43 and all ran under 1:44. For an old 1:54 half-miler from the 60’s…this was spectacular racing.

My favorite moment came in the longest of the track events…the men’s 10,000 meter. The sight of pure joy on Galen Rupp’s face a yard or two from the finish when he mouthed the word “Mo” will always remain at the top of the list. Even while doing what most thought was impossible…winning an Olympic medal for the USA…the sight of watching his training partner’s dream come true overwhelmed his own accomplishments at that moment.

Would like to hear about your favorite moments.