I graduated high school in 77 and I agree with you.
One difference in publicity:
Social media doesn't necessarily reach the general public - you see what the algorithms or whatever figure you want to see.
The major newspapers and networks reached everyone and the options were limited.
More people knew who Coe and Ovett were.
Example - I had a girlfriend who was not into track or any sport but she knew who they were.
I liked Ovett (he was brash and "arrogant". She hated him and liked Coe because he was classy.
I don't think 18-20 year old non running females have an opinion on Jakob and Kerr.