Rotich not worried despite loss

Kenya's 800m runner Ferguson Rotich is confident he will pull a surprise at the Olympics despite finishing third at the two-day IAAF Diamond League meeting in London, on Friday night.

“I am confident I will win a medal in Rio. I am in top shape now with no injuries. I arrived here today (Friday) and did not have enough time to shake off the jet lag. I never expected to finish third.

“I always compete to win and not beat anyone. My focus is on Rio and I hope to do better,” Rotich said.

Olympics champion David Rudisha and Alfred Kipketer are the other members of the Team Kenya 800m lineup.

The battle will be no easy in Brazil as Kenya lines up against world’s two-lap race exponents in Botswana’s Olympic silver medalist Nijel Amos, world silver medalist Adam Kszczot of Poland and world bronze medalist Amel Tuka of Bosnia.

There is also Frenchman Bosse Pierre-Ambroise who won the London meet in 1:43.88 ahead of Brandon McBride (1:43.95), Rotich (1:44.38) and Amos (1:44.38).

It remains to be seen whether Rotich, who has beaten Rudisha in Shanghai and Stockholm Diamond League meetings this season, can get in to medal bracket.