In the Latest Episode of the Sport and Music book podcast This Bit’s Brilliant Paul Ging and Simon Elliott talk about a couple of great books.

The Perfect Distance by Pat Butcher is about the rivalry between Olympic athletes Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett and 1984: the year pop went queer by Ian Wade is about how the music we were listening to in the mid 80s changed for the better.

In The Perfect Distance Pat Butcher gets right inside the intense rivalry between the two British middle distance runners domestically in the 70s and then on the world stage at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. The pair traded world records amid a flurry of press attention that wasn’t always kind.

The book looks at their contrasting backgrounds, coaching influences, and experiences at the Olympics. The chat highlights the impact of media portrayal, class dynamics, and the significance of the 1980 Moscow Olympics in shaping their legacies. Athletics writed Butcher takes yo right inside the tense moments ahead of and during the key moments at the Moscow and LA Olympics.

In 1984 The Year Pop Went Queer Ian Wade looks at the cultural and musical landscape of 1984, highlighting the significant shift in pop music towards queer representation. He delves into the impact of artists like Bronski Beat and Queen, exploring how their work challenged societal norms and contributed to the visibility of LGBTQ+ identities in music. The discussion emphasizes the importance of this era in shaping contemporary pop culture and the ongoing legacy of these artists.

takeaways
· Coe and Ovett were the best runners in the world during the late 70s and early 80s.
· Ovett was seen as the working-class hero, while Coe had a more privileged background.
· The rivalry was fueled by their contrasting personalities and media portrayals.
· Ovett’s relationship with the press was tumultuous, leading to negative coverage.
· The 1976 Olympics were a pivotal moment for both athletes, shaping their future careers.
· The 1980 Moscow Olympics were marked by political tensions and media scrutiny.
· Coe’s coaching relationship with his father was complex and influential.
· Ovett’s physical maturity gave him an early advantage in competitions.
· The aftermath of their rivalry influenced the next generation of athletes.
· Both athletes left a lasting legacy in the world of athletics.
· 1984 marked a pivotal year for queer representation in pop music.
· Ian Wade’s book provides insightful commentary on this cultural shift.
· Bronski Beat’s ‘Small Town Boy’ addressed previously taboo subjects.
· Queen’s ‘I Want to Break Free’ faced backlash in North America for its camp humor.
· The leather subculture played a significant role in redefining masculinity in pop.
· The influence of gay culture on mainstream music is profound and lasting.
· The intersection of music and social issues was highlighted during the miners’ strike.
· High energy music, often dismissed, has its own cultural significance.
· The conversation underscores the importance of acknowledging the past to understand the present.
· “Small Town Boy is an incredible piece of work.”
· “High Energy, a music that’s seldom celebrated.”
· “The legacy of gay influence in pop.”
Chapters
00:00The Rise of Coe and Ovett
02:57Class Dynamics and Rivalry
06:05Coaching and Family Influences
09:01The 1976 Olympics Experience
11:53Media Relations and Public Perception
14:48The 1980 Moscow Olympics
17:49The 800m and 1500m Finals
21:11Aftermath and Legacy of the Rivalry
27:00 The Cultural Shift of 1984
27:46 Pop Music and Queer Identity
29:16 Terrible post christmas Top of the pops
31:24 The iconography of the leather man
35:30 Queen’s influence on Michael Jackson’s thriller
37:43 Bronski and small Town Boy
43:43 The Legacy of Gay Influence in Pop