Sport
Kenya’s David Rudisha ready to dominate the 800 metres at Olympics
Kenya’s David Rudisha. PHOTO/Jiro Mochizuki
Injury-free and in good shape, Olympic favorite David Rudisha looks ready to dominate the 800 metres in 2012 and clinch the one major title missing from his impressive young record.
The 23-year-old world champion from Kenya will begin his “big year” at the opening Diamond League meet in Doha next month. He said he would then probably need three more races to be ready for the London Games — his first Olympics.
Rudisha followed up his two world record-breaking runs in 2010 by winning the world title in Daegu, South Korea, last year, giving him world and African titles in both junior and senior categories over two laps.
In London, an Olympic gold would complete the set in a sensational start to his career.
“Being the world record holder and world champion, those are good titles, but I am missing the big one, the Olympics,” Rudisha said Wednesday.
After missing the meet in Doha for the first time since 2007 last year with injury, Rudisha added he’s confident with his preparations this season after returning home “sharp” from his pre-season camp in Australia. It was an ominous warning to his Olympic rivals.
“I know it’s a big year,” Rudisha said on a conference call from Kenya. “It’s every athlete’s dream to compete and win the Olympics in his career. The way I have been training … I think I’m in good shape. Going there, I’m not going there to lose. I’m going to win that title.”
