This was the first real race in which the world's top 2 lap runners sat up and took notice of Joaquim Cruz. He had made his international debut at the 1981 World Cup, aged 18, where he ran disappointingly in a slow time, despite being the World Junior record holder at 1:44.3.
Two years later, stronger, faster and more experienced, he set a pb in the 2nd of 3 Oslo meets that summer; the 1st was won by Coe in 1:43.80 and the 3rd in August was won by Cram in 1:43.61.
2nd was Garry Cook, 1:44.96; 3rd A. Guimaraes, 1:45.15.
Cruz's splits were very interesting for the 3rd 200 split of 25.1!
His 200 splits went: - 24.0, 27.5 (51.5), 25.1 (1:16.6), 27.4