800 metres, Men

Coming into London, the strongest favorite in any men’s event was Kenyan David Rudisha. He was the world record holder, had won the 2011 World Championships, and had been world-ranked #1 in the event in 2009-11. He had not aimed for a world record in London, but simply wanted to set a fast pace to make it as difficult as possible for the other runners. Rudisha took the lead in the final from the break, passing 200 metres in 23.5 and the 400 in 49.28. Sudanese rival Abubaker Kaki was close, trailing at the bell in 49.4, as was Mohammed Aman (ETH) in 49.5 and Nijel Amos (BOT) in 49.7. Rudisha did not slow down, running 25.02 for the third 200 to pass 600 in 1:14.30, ahead of his paces in his two world record efforts. Kaki was destroyed by his attempt to stay close, as he would drop back to seventh. But Rudisha kept after it, crossing the line in 1:40.91, another world record, and the first 800 ever run under 1:41.

Rudisha towed the other runners to the greatest 800 metre race in history, based on times. Every finalist except Kaki set a PR, and places 2-8 all set best-for-place records. The silver went to Amos in 1:41.73, making him the third fastest ever over two laps, with Rudisha’s teammate Timothy Kitum coming home for bronze in 1:42.53, a mark better than the previous Olympic record of 1:42.58 set in 1996 by Norwegian Vebjørn Rodal. Amos had recently won the 2012 World Junior title, but Kitum was even younger at only 17-years-old and became the youngest ever medalist in the Olympic 800. Amos’ medal was the first ever for Botswana.

Rudisha said later that he thought of his father, Daniel, at the starting line. Daniel Rudisha had anchored Kenya to a silver in the 4×400 at the 1968 Olympics, and Rudisha noted, “He has always been my role model.” London Organizing Committee chairman Sebastian Coe, himself twice a world-record setter in the 800, noted, “It was the most extraordinary piece of running I have probably ever seen. It was the performance of the Games, not just of track & field, but of the Games. Rudisha’s run will go down in history as one of the greatest Olympic victories.”