14 May, 2016

800m Men: Rudisha beaten as Rotich rolls through for shock win

World and Olympic champion David Rudisha was left treading water in the home straight as Ferguson Cheruiyot Rotich slipped past the field on the inside lane to snatch a shock victory in 1:45.68. Rudisha had targeted 1:43.50 but such a time was all but impossible after confusion at the start led to half the field pulling up expecting a re-call when high jumpers and javelin throwers strayed into their lanes. Rudisha made up the ground and held the lead with 200m to go, but the world record holder’s customary finishing kick was nowhere to be seen as Dutchman Thijmen Kupers attacked off the bend. The Kenyan faded to fifth in 1:46.24, his slowest time for five years, as Robert Biwott and Alfred Kipketer took second and third ahead of Kupers.

David Rudisha: I'm so upset! I lost 2 seconds because of the start. There where high jumpers in the lane and they start..

Bram Som: There was high jumpers and javelin throwers on the track and I held my hand up for the starter to stop the race. He did but then the race started. I was waiting for a recall but it never came and I was 30m behind the field.