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In 1982: Wayne Gretzky demolishes the late Pelé, Bjorn Borg and Sugar Ray Leonard over an indoor 60m dash
Marley Dickinson January 12, 2023
Every Canadian knows that Wayne Gretzky is one of Canada’s greatest athletes of all time, but did you know he was also a world-class sprinter? In 1982, a 21-year-old “Great One” lined up against some of the best athletes of all time at the World Sports Masters event in Göteborg, Sweden. Gretzky put on a clinic, beating them all over 60m, in a stunning time of 7.24 seconds.
Gretzky can be seen in the video beating the likes of Pelé (soccer), Sugar Ray Leonard (boxing) and Björn Borg (tennis). Although Pelé was twice Gretzky’s age at the time, the 42-year-old gave a solid effort to beat Leonard and finish third after Borg. After the race, Pelé conngratulated The Great One in a heartwarming fashion.
Leonard, who was 26 at the time, didn’t even use the starting blocks, and looked as if he regretted lining up as soon as he started.
While it is hard to ignore the funky 80s uniforms, there’s another video from the same event of Gretzky again beating Borg, plus Swedish Olympic skiing champion Ingemar Stenmark and English footballer Kevin Keegan.
Gretzky was well known for his awareness and anticipation on the ice. He scored 894 goals and 1,963 assists in 1,487 games, averaging nearly two points per game during his 20-year NHL career. Another of his strengths was his fast and nimble skating, which helped him avoid contact and beat defenders. The videos clearly showcased some of his raw speed.
His time of 7.24 seconds for 60m in 1982 would have been faster than the men’s 60m national records of Mexico, New Zealand and Kenya. Who knows what Gretzky could’ve run in today’s super spikes, or if he trained for the sprint disciplines, or fixed his form so it doesn’t look like he’s fighting off Canada geese with his forearms?
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Wayne Gretzky’s prowess in ice hockey is renowned, but his sprinting abilities might come as a surprise. In 1982, at the World Sports Masters event in Sweden, Gretzky competed in a 60m dash against icons like Pelé, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Björn Borg. His remarkable time of 7.24 seconds showcased his exceptional speed and agility.
Gretzky’s achievements in hockey, notably his unparalleled scoring record of 894 goals and 1,963 assists in 1,487 games, underscore his athletic abilities. His proficiency in skating, marked by speed and agility, was pivotal in his hockey career. The videos from the event demonstrate his raw speed and capacity to outpace renowned athletes from different disciplines.
While the 80s attire might draw attention, Gretzky’s performance against Borg, Ingemar Stenmark, and Kevin Keegan in another video at the same event further solidifies his sprinting prowess. His strategic acumen and anticipation, qualities that served him well in hockey, likely contributed to his success in the sprint.
The article intriguingly speculates on what Gretzky could have achieved with today’s advancements in sports technology, hinting at the potential for faster times with modern equipment and optimized training.
In essence, this article intertwines the domains of ice hockey, sprinting, multi-discipline sporting events, iconic athletes, and the hypothetical prospects of athletes with modern advancements in sports gear and training methodologies.
