Ron Clarke-RIP

[PaulP]

I don't know about a pattern...but it happens fairly often that the world record holder won't win Gold
Some athletes are great against the tape and clock, some are just great competitors and love to race.
Given that the Olympics occur only once every four years it takes a fair amount of preparation and a certain degree of luck to be ready on that one particular day.
Clarke stood out because of his dominance of the world ranking lists over a number of distances but his inability to win Olympic (Bronze) or even Commonwealth gold (Silver x4)

I see. Thanks Lods.