Page "Steve Ovett" Paragraph 11

Though in 1980 Ovett had tied Coe's 1500 m world record of 3: 32. 1, new timing rules would come into effect in 1981, which would recognise records over 400 m to the hundredth of a second.

This would have the effect of giving Coe sole possession of the record, as Coe ran 3: 32. 03 to Ovett's 3: 32. 09.

However, Ovett avoided this unusual removal of a record via rule change by setting a new record later in 1980 of 3: 31. 36.