Don Spero gives Vyacheslav Ivanov his shirt after losing his first race against him in August, 1964 at the European Championships in Amsterdam, and two months before the two men faced off again at that year's Olympic Games in Tokyo. Spero was ahead by a length of 500 meters. As predicted, Ivanov beat him by a length and Spero spent the next two months learning to sprint in preparation for Tokyo. (Courtesy Don Spero)

My Dad the World Champion

Don Spero gives Vyacheslav Ivanov his shirt after losing his first race against him in August, 1964 at the European Championships in Amsterdam, and two months before the two men faced off again at that year's Olympic Games in Tokyo. Spero was ahead by a length of 500 meters. As predicted, Ivanov beat him by a length and Spero spent the next two months learning to sprint in preparation for Tokyo.

Credit: Courtesy Don Spero