- en
Mayor Nardella awarded keys of Florence to Sebastian Coe
Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella awarded Sebastian Coe with the keys to the city of Florence. The ceremony was held to mark the 40th anniversary of Coe’s 800 metres world record run in Florence.
On June 10, 1981, Coe set a time of 1 minute 41.73 seconds. This time remained in the record books until 1997 when Wilson Kipketer from Denmark broke it.
It has only been bettered once more since, by current world record holder David Rudisha of Kenya in 2012, and Coe was awarded Florence’s highest honour before the start of the Diamond League meeting in the city, reports Channel News Asia.
Coe said: “It’s hard to believe that it’s been 40 years since that most memorable night. Florence gave me one of the best moments of my life and has had a special magic for me ever since. I feel deeply honoured to receive the keys to a city that I love so well and which has already given me so much. The people of Florence embraced me then and I still feel that warmth every time I come here, and especially on this occasion.”
Photo Ali Nuredini for Unsplash
