In the footsteps of the giants

Once upon a time, the world's best runners came from New Zealand. During the 60s, the "kiwis" dominated the running tracks, and the ripples from the running revolution continued right into the 2000s. Now they are hoping again, for a 27-year-old who can round half the field on the final lap - Geordie Beamish. 

With 40 meters remaining in the Indoor World Cup 1500m final, Geordie Beamish is still off the podium. He is actually no better than fifth, but when the runners cross the finish line it is still Beamish who is first and New Zealand has yet another world champion in athletics. 

For those who were there, this must be like being thrown back 60 years in time. A final of 1500 meters and a New Zealander sprinting home the gold, just like Peter Snell did. The legend who won three Olympic golds in the 60s. 

At the same time as Snell dominated and set world records, Murray Halberg won Olympic gold in the 5000m. When Snell later won Olympic gold in the 1500m in 1964, it was his compatriot John Davies who was third. 

The years passed and the runners continued to come from New Zealand. Snell, Halberg and Davies were replaced by Jon Walker, who won Olympic gold in the 1500 meters in 1976, and Rod Dixon, who won bronze in 1972. Walker also managed to set a world record for a mile in Gothenburg before hanging up his shoes . 

Admittedly, it would take a while before the next star from the country arrived. But when the Olympics were held in Beijing, it was time for a New Zealander again. Nick Willis once again took the country to the podium when he was second in the 1500m. He then continued to belong to the world elite and eight years later, in Rio de Janeiro, he won a bronze.

Now the hope is placed on Geordie Beamish. The 27-year-old from Hastings in northern New Zealand was long one 
good 1500/500 meter runner, but it wasn't until he took up the hurdles in 2023 that he stepped up as a medal contender. 

Development on the route was rapid. In July he set an oceanic record when he did 8.13 on 
the competitions in Paris. In the WC he finished fifth, only one and a half seconds from a medal. 

After the gold in the 1500 meters last winter, his shares have strengthened. At the BAUHAUS gala, he will run obstacles against, among others, the world record holder Lamecha Girma. The answer to about Beamish on 
we get the real role of New Zealand's new running king at the Olympics, but a preview comes at the BAUHAUS-gala on June 2.