David Rudisha won Gold on Monday in the 800 metres race at the Rio Olympics 2016 in Brazil, it was his second gold in Olympics having won his other medal in London Olympics four years ago breaking a feat set in 1964 in the process.
Mr. Rudisha who is a world champion and record holder over the distance gave Kenya her second gold in this year’s games.
His achievement however came with a record for title defense over the Olympics 800 meters title a feat which has taken over 50 years to be replicated.
New Zealander Peter Snell was the first man in 1964 to successfully defend the Olympic 800m title after he had previously won in 1960 in the city of Rome, Italy.
Mr. Rudisha crossed the line in 1.42.15, followed by Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi in second and American Clayton Murphy who won the bronze.
Since winning his first Olympic gold and setting a world record at the 2012 London Games, Mr. Rudisha suffered career threatening injuries which saw him miss several competitions including 2013 world athletics championship held in Moscow Russia from 10-18th August.
He struggled even in this year’s national Olympic trial held in Eldoret last month that saw him third for the qualification but his confidence carried the day in Brazil.
"I have stayed focused and positive. My coach has been great and given me hope." He was quoted by international press after the race concerning what has helped him overcome his injury drawbacks and winning the Olympics.
That notwithstanding Kenya’s Olympic team went to Rio having had to face poor handling by officials with three athletes failing to have their tickets when they were ready to leave and led to other athletes being adamant that they would not leave the country for the games without being accompanied by the trio who included Julius Yego (Javelin), Catherine Ndereba (women marathon) and Jemimah Sumgong who eventually won the women marathon gold.
It is a high time that Kenyan sportspeople get the recognition that they deserve because they are as much of ambassadors as all the other achievers who have constantly flown the Kenyan flag high.
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