In the slow, strategic race held in a light rain on a muddy dirt track Michel Jazy was more of a 1500 meter runner and expected to be ready for a fast finish.

Schul found himself on the curb boxed in by a loping Keino who seemed to be marking the field on the outside of the pack that also included future world record holder Ron Clarke.

With 600 metres to go Bill Dellinger made the first move coming around the entire pack and into the lead.

Shortly after the bell, Jazy decided to take off, jumping to the lead with Harald Norpoth coming from mid pack to become his closest pursuer 5 metres back as the field stretched out.

It would be 52 years before USA would register another medal in the 5000, when Kenyan born Paul Chelimo took silver in 2016.