- Narrator: For many years preceding the Los Angeles games, the world press had reported that the Coe/Ovett rivalry had been unfriendly. This was denied by both men. Ovett attempted to clarify the situation. Said Ovett - We are not the best of friends, nor are we enemies, rather, we are rivals.
- Linda Moorcroft: It was obvious that his pelvis had tilted again.
- Ronald Reagan: Celebrating the 23rd Olympiad of the modern era, I declare open the Olympic Games of Los Angeles.
- Myrella Moses: No more Olympics. I'm finished. I'm finished.
- Narrator: In the two years since his incredible world record run in Oslo, Dave Moorcroft has been beset with crippling injuries. He has not fully recovered from a stress fracture of the leg, a debilitating attack of hepatitis, and a pelvic disorder that on certain days makes it impossible for him to run.
- Daley Thompson: It's one of those Utopian ideals which I never believe should be lost on the world. It may not be possible for them to actually occur. There's nothing wrong with trying to strive for what they set out for, and, that is, the youth of the world should get together and have a good time, you know. And maybe when they're older, when they're in charge of other things, countries and companies, and that kind of stuff, that a bit of that'll rub off and we'd all be nicer to each other. I don't believe that that ideal is out of place. I always try and strive for the best for myself and, so, I'm probably, in this aspect, at least, I'm probably very much out of date. We just need a few more like me.
- Narrator: Fulfillment of the Olympic philosophy: To enter the arena, make the attempt, and do your best.
- Daley Thompson: It was kind of like the moment I've always been looking for. Everything, at the end of the day, has got to be a test. And this moment was like: my test. This was like everything that had ever gone on beforehand didn't mean anything. And this was the moment to go and look over the God damn cliff and face what was ever down there. That was the biggest moment for me: *ever*. That was everything wrapped up into one. That particular moment, with however many people watching on tele and all that kind of stuff, everybody there, you know, that was my moment.
- Narrator: The Marathon - run in every Olympics since the games were revived in Athens almost a century before. The Marathon - 26 miles, 385 yards. A race of strength, speed, and endurance. The Marathon - a race that challenges the land, the competition, and, perhaps most important, one's self.
- Narrator: They walked into the arena like the gladiators of old. Twenty-six men. Strong. Agile. Fast.
- Carl Lewis: I went through, I think, the ups and downs that Jesse Owens had to go through in 1936 when he was trying those same four events. So, in that respect, he was definitely an inspiration; because, I know what he had to go through. And then being the person that he was and being someone who inspired me as a young child to compete. I went to the meet, individually, running my events; but, I was also very much inspired by his presence.
- Narrator: Formerly, Chinese athletes competed internationally with the slogan: Friendship first, Competition second. Wining or losing was immaterial. This has now changed.
- Ion Puica: I think the most interesting aspect of the publicity before the race was that most journalists wrote only about Mary Decker and Zola Budd. Few people recognized that Maricica had run the fastest 3000 meters of the year and that Mary Decker's best time was less than two seconds better than Maricica's.
- Koji Gushiken: When I was a freshman in high school my teacher gave me a book. It was titled, "The Creation of Life Worth Living." My teacher says that with the help of this book, I'd make the number one gymnast in the world. The book's message was to develop my skills. It said, "Look up to ideals. But, do not run away from reality. Fulfill the reality slowly. Look forward to eternity and improve the condition step-by-step. Make an endless wish. Keep doing things. Always look back and be enlightened." Then, just before my performance, I utter the words, "Topa. Topa. Topa." Which means: concentrate and perfect yourself, and you will break through the barriers.
- Mary Decker: They better make a protest!
- Henry Marsh: No matter what sort of pain you go through, it's worth it. Because, it's going to be a lifetime of memories. You're only a success if you get up one more time when you fall. And so, if I were ever to quit after a fall, then, I wouldn't deem myself as a success. And that's what life's all about!
- Narrator: She first gained international fame as a five foot, two inch, 84 pounds, 16-year old prodigy from South Africa, who ran barefoot. With South Africa barred from the games because of its racial policies, Budd moved to Great Britain four months before the games were to begin. The following month she became a British citizen and earned a place on their Olympic team.
- Henry Marsh: If there's one athletic achievement I'd like to have that I don't have, it would be an Olympic gold medal. And that is a dream for me. And if I fulfill it or if I don't fulfill it, I always will dream.