KING’S MESSAGE: Rudisha sends veiled warning to rivals as he also bemoans school unrest

DAVID RUDISHA ON TWITTER 800m World Record holder and Olympic champions David Rudisha after a training session at Lornah Kiplagat Track in Iten on July 27, 2016. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

King David has spoken! And his word will surely unsettle pretenders to his 800m Olympic crown, which was achieved in jaw-dropping fashion four years ago in London.

In winning the gold medal in London in World Record time (1:40.91), the man with a stride of a springbok carried all his rivals to personal records. Rudisha would, however, suffer a niggling tendon injury that prompted questions about his dominance in the two-lap race. He then finished third at the Rio Olympics trials at Kipchoge Keino Stadium on July 1.

St: Patrick's High School Iten dormitory on fire!!! Whats wrong with our schools? Something need to be done. pic.twitter.com/tXtpuskYoF

— David Rudisha MBS (@rudishadavid) July 26, 2016

But yesterday, after energy-sapping training marked with monster steps round the brand-new tartan at Lornah Kiplagat track in Iten, Rudisha posted on his twitter account a loaded yet veiled statement, “Training with my new #Rio2016 spikes. #boost @adidasrunning.”

It is ominous, for the 800m track maestro appears to have regained his mojo, posting world leading time (1:43.35) on July 18 at the Istvan Gyulai Memorial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary.

With London silver medallist Nijel Amos of Botswana holding Season Best of 1:44.66, Ferguson Rotich (SB 1:44.05) and Bosse Pierre-Ambroise of France (SB 1:43.88), Rudisha appears to have thrown down the gauntlet for his growing form.

With a kingly smile to boot at Iten yesterday, Rudisha posed for a photo with his immaculate two white-and-orange-striped spikes.

Although Team Kenya is kitted by Nike, King David is free to sport his beloved Adidas spikes due to contractual terms.

Rudisha also took time to wade into raging debate on unrest in schools with particular interest in St Patrick’s Iten, where one of the dormitories was razed down on Tuesday night.

St Patrick’s Iten is Rudisha’s spiritual home where he lived and trained under Brother Colm O’Connell despite having studied at the nearby Kimuron Secondary School.

“St Patrick’s High School Iten dormitory on fire!!! What is wrong with our schools? Something needs to be done,” Rudisha twitted via his official handle @rudishadavid.