How Kemper saved Wottle's gold

The men’s 800m final was one of the greatest races at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. In an incredible finish, Dave Wottle – seemingly hopelessly behind and in last place after 400m – came from sixth position at 600m to catch Evgeni Arzhanov of the Soviet Union in the last metre, winning in 1:45.86.

This final is still a hit on YouTube today.

The end of the dramatic video shows Wottle at the finish line, wearing his iconic cap, not realising what has just happened to him. And only one person, Franz-Josef Kemper from West Germany, congratulates him. This picture of Kemper, who finished fourth behind Kenya’s Mike Boit (1:46.01) in 1:46.50, shaking hands with the US winner, is a classic one from Munich 1972.

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, but in this case, the previously unknown story behind this shot says much more.

A moving story has only now come to light, almost 53 years after the 800m final on 2 September 1972. It turns out that Wottle had Kemper to thank for his Olympic victory.

Before the race, an official had threatened to disqualify Wottle because he had one spike too many in his shoes. Wottle didn't have a spike wrench to remove one. But Kemper managed to organise a spike wrench at the last second, and Wottle’s race was saved. His path to gold was clear.

Wottle, who had set a world record of 1:44.3 at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene before the Munich Games in early July 1972, said: “I have mentioned this memory at times over the past 50 years, but I do not believe it has ever been reported on in the press.

“I have never told him (Kemper) about this memory, but after all these years, felt that I should reach out to him and thank him for the kindness that he showed me prior to the race,” added Wottle.

Wottle still has vivid memories of the race, 53 years later.

“As the men in the 800m final were waiting in the tunnel to go out to the track, an official came by and looked at me and said, ‘you have too many spikes in your shoes. If you don’t get one out, you’ll be disqualified!’ I did not have a spike wrench.

“Franz-Joseph Kemper came over and said he did not have one, but he would ask around the other guys if any of them had one. Andy Carter (who went on to finish sixth in the final) had one and gave it to Franz-Josef Kemper and then he brought it over to me. You could almost say that it cost him a medal because he was fourth; if I had been disqualified, he would’ve been third!

“I have never forgotten that and I am so grateful that he was willing to help me. His kindness at that critical time symbolised the true meaning of the Olympics to me.”

The rules and regulations at the time stipulated that athletes should have a maximum of eight spikes in each shoe, six in the sole and, in the case of specialist field event footwear, two in the heel. Wottle's running spikes had seven rather than the allowed six spikes fitted in the sole (front plate).

“I was in a panic and the possibility of being disqualified for not being able to remove my spikes had me terrified,” he recalls.

Wottle recently contacted Kemper and recalled this memory. “He wrote a very nice note in return but, unfortunately, he did not remember the wrench spike issue,” says Wottle. “But he also said it was 53 years ago.

“I think Franz-Josef’s response to my not having a spike wrench was simply so automatic for him and indicative of the kind of person he is. It was no big deal to him. But to a panicked newcomer like me, it was huge. Thank God for kind-hearted people.”

The two still have one thing in common today. Both describe the photo showing them together after the final run as their favourite picture from the 1972 Munich Games; one which truly captures the Olympic spirit.

“I love that picture of Franz-Josef congratulating me after the race,” says Wottle. “He was the only one doing so. Whenever I see that photo, I instantly think of what he did for me in the tunnel prior to the race.”

Olaf Brockmann for World Athletics Heritage