By Gilbert Wandera and IAAF
Coach Julius Kirwa agrees that World champion and record holder David Rudisha is capable of breaking his own record during the Zurich Samsung Diamond League next month.
Kirwa said:”Rudisha is in great form at the moment. His attitude and commitment is impressive and at this rate, he is capable of lowering his record even further,” he said.
He added that the athlete has hit top form in training and has shown great determination to maintain an excellent performance.
“It will be good for him, his family and the country if he lowered the record. He has worked very hard and deserve it,” said the coach.
Kirwa was reacting to a prediction by several experts that Rudisha is the most likely athlete to next set a new World record.
The Kenyan athlete, who is already holding the current 800m World record, is the latest illustrious entry to the cast of the 2012 edition of Weltklasse Zürich – Samsung Diamond League.
Rudisha, 23, is the top favourite for the upcoming Olympic Games but his marvellous form will benefit him beyond London.
German-speaking
“David Rudisha is one of very few stars who have the potential to break the World record in each and every race they line up for,” explained Patrick K. Magyar, Weltklasse Zürich Meeting Director.
And Rudisha is very straight forward when describing his outlook for the summer: “I am focusing on the Olympics in London. And after that, I would like to run some really fast times.” After the Olympic Games, Rudisha will return to his European base in Tübingen (Germany) in order to prepare for the Weltklasse Zürich 800m race.
So far, Rudisha, has run twice at Letzigrund Stadium, in 2007 and in 2009. He won on both occasions. This year, he will be both a star athlete and a star coach in Zurich.
Prior to racing, he will train with the youngest fans of the sport at the kids’ event on Tuesday, 28 August. The traditional event will be held at eleven locations in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and in the canton of Ticino. The location of the training session with Rudisha has yet to be determined.
