It will be another moment of riveting action as Kenyans take to the track at the sixth IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Birmingham, England, tonight.
Olympics and two-time world 800m champion David Rudisha will compete in the shorter 600m race – coming after his fifth finish in 800m at the second IAAF Diamond League Meeting in Shanghai, China.
But he said he would weather the storm at the colonial master’s land.
“This is my second 600m. I also did my first one here. I love 600m since it is more like a 400m race, in which my father won an Olympic medal. I am in top form now and happy that the injury has fully healed,” he said.
“I only need to do my best here and proceed to Stockholm, where I will compete in 800m.”
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The Iten-based athlete seems to follow in the counsel of the 37th President of the USA Richard Milhous Nixon, who said; “A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.”
“I know most of my fans were disappointed when I failed to perform well in Shanghai, but I am certain to lift their spirits here,” Rudisha added.
He will marshal forces with Andrew Rotich as they take on Frenchman Pierra Ambroise Bosse.
Three-time world 1,500m champion Asbel Kiprop, who has won the Diamond Race in 2010 and 2015, has promised a good show.
Kiprop has also won the Bowerman Mile in Eugene four times and reigned supreme at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Doha with a world-leading time of 3:32.15.
“I want to run faster this season and make amends for the 2012 London Olympics. But I just want to do four Diamond Leagues meetings before the national trials and ensure I am in good shape.
“I want to emulate Morroco’s Hicham El Guerrouj, the four-time world champion and world record holder at 3:26.00,” said Kiprop.
“So I need to come back here and win another gold medal at the London World Championships.”
Asbel will meet Silas Kiplagat for the 36th time as he battles a strong field that includes Vincent Kibet (3:31.96), Australia’s Ryan Gregson, third in Rabat meet in 3:34.43 and Timo Benitz (3:34.90) of Germany.
