London 2012: Kenyan star breaks world record

Thursday, August 9, 2012
8:29 PM

Olympic track and field: David Rudisha romps to glory

Kenya’s David Rudisha broke his own world record to claim 800 metres Olympic gold.

As London 2012 chairman and former Olympic 800m silver medallist Seb Coe looked on, Rudisha made the most of ideal conditions, storming through the first lap in 49.28 seconds and powering to the gold medal in one minute 40.91 seconds.

That took exactly one tenth of a second off his previous record as all eight finalists set a season’s best, personal best or national record.

Teenager Nijel Amos of Botswana claimed silver in a national record of 1:41.73 ahead of Kenya’s Timothy Kitum, with Britain’s Andrew Osagie taking 0.71s off his personal best despite finishing eighth.