It was an extraordinary golden double whammy, spanning less than an hour. And yet, it continues to live on, inspiring New Zealanders more than half a century later.
September 2, 1960, is revered as one of New Zealand’s greatest days at an Olympic Games. On the red cinder track inside the Stadio Olympico in Rome, 21-year-old virtual unknown middle distance runner Peter Snell surged in the final straight to clinch gold in the 800m. Within half an hour, the experienced, level-headed Murray Halberg, buoyed by Snell’s victory, won the 5000m to complete an unforgettable track double.
