The cult of masculinity had one positive spin-off: Arthur Lydiard. A runner of iron will but limited natural ability, he discovered that as he ran further he got fitter.
Snell had successfully defended his 800-m title earlier at the Tokyo Olympics before completing the coveted middle-distance double with gold in the 1500 m. Fellow Kiwi John Davies won bronze.
Widely considered one of the greatest middle distance runners of all time, Snell broke Herb Elliott's world record on grass at Cook's Gardens, Whanganui, covering the distance in 3 minutes 54.4 seconds.
