David Rudisha names heir to his 800m throne

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ATHLETICS David Rudisha names heir to his 800m throne

Festus Chuma 07:00 - 24.11.2023

Rudisha has predicted Africa's success in the 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasizing the strong performance of the younger generation in middle-distance running.

World 800m record holder David Rudisha is optimistic about Kenya's performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics, particularly in the two lap race.

Rudisha has singled out Emmanuel Wanyonyi as a potential gold medalist, emphasizing the importance of good preparations in achieving this feat.

In the 2020 Olympics, Emmanuel Korir clinched the gold medal in the 800m, but Rudisha believes that Wanyonyi is well-positioned to follow in Korir's footsteps and secure the top spot on the podium in Paris.

"The younger generation is doing very well, and they matter a lot because they are the ones who will be taking over from where we left off. Sports is a short career, and we try to motivate them to continue the legacy from where we left," he said.

"800m is close to my heart; it's the race that I competed in throughout my career, and I'm looking forward to watching it, especially Wanyonyi, who performed admirably in the World Championship and won silver. We hope that in Paris, he will be even more experienced, and I'm confident he will be the one to watch," he added.

Rudisha's faith in Wanyonyi's potential stems from the young athlete's impressive performance in the World Championship, where he secured a silver medal.

With more experience under his belt, Wanyonyi is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Olympics.

Reflecting on his own career, Rudisha had his fair share of challenges. In 2009, he missed out on the World Championships final in Berlin.

However, he made a remarkable comeback in 2010, setting two of his three world records.

He carried that momentum into the Daegu World Championships, where he claimed the world title with a commanding performance, clocking 1:43.91.

Four years later, he repeated this feat in Beijing, overcoming injuries that had plagued him for two years.

Rudisha's second world title came on the heels of another world record run, securing Olympic gold in London.

He successfully defended his title in Rio, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time.

As the 2024 Paris Olympics draw closer, all eyes will be on Emmanuel Wanyonyi as he aims to fulfill David Rudisha's prediction and bring home the gold in the 800m event.

With Rudisha's endorsement and the support of a nation known for its rich tradition in middle-distance running, Wanyonyi has a bright future ahead on the Olympic stage.  

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