Track Time Trial (1,000 metres), Men

The 1978 and 1979 World Champion was Lothar Thoms (GDR). The early lead was taken by Italy’s Guido Bontempi, who was the fourth rider off, and recorded 1:05.478. That held up until Aleksandr Panfilov (URS), the 13th starter, rode a 1:04.845. Panfilov looked solid until Thoms came to the line as the last starter. Thomas recorded 1:02.955, which broke the Olympic record of 1:03.91 set in the altitude of Ciudad de México, and was also recognized as a world indoor record. The bronze medal went to David Weller of Jamaica. Thru 2008, Jamaica had won 53 Olympic medals, and Weller’s is the only medal not won in track & field athletics.