However Walker was a favourite to win the 1500 metres due to the African boycott of the Games weakening the field. The 1500 metres final started at a slow pace going through 800 metres in 2:03. The race would come down to a fast finish. In a bid to out-sprint runners who were quicker over 800 metres, Walker started his finishing sprint 300 metres from the finish, fading in the last 20 metres but holding out Ivo Van Damme and Paul-Heinz Wellmann to win the gold medal.