One of England's great middle-distance runners, Steve Ovett competed in three Olympics, winning a gold medal in the 800m and a bronze in the 1500m at the 1980 Games in Moscow.

Ovett put his first stamp on the international scene in 1974, taking a silver in the 800m at the European Championships.

Over the next five years, Ovett would focus his talents on longer distances, and establish himself as one of the world's best in the 1,500 metres and in the mile. Between 1977-80, Ovlett won 45 successive races at those distances.

In 1996, he won gold in the 5000m at the Commonwealth Games.

His final major championship appearance was 10th in the 1987 World 5000m. Now settled in Scotland, he became a commentator on athletics for the IAAF. In 1978 he was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.