¶2015 WC m800: David Rudisha (Ken) 1:45.84

[Madd Marine]

Strong assumption if your talking about Amos. I expected Tuka to pull out that strong surprising finish he showed previously at 200 or later, after he had made is way up from last. But he didn't.

In a slow race everyone something left. Tuka is a bit lucky to have made it to bronze after tucking into last place for the first 500. Since Amos was KO'd in an even slower race it doesn't follow that he would have won here or even medaled. He likely would have, but it's possible that he wouldn't have medaled at all. Faster races help guys like Amos and Tuka. Rudisha's tactics were good and the wall he and his countryman put in front of the others for most of the race helped out big time. Congrats to all three medalists.

[user4]

Sowinski and Locsom, what an embarrassment.

[tm71]

Amos flushed out of a poorly designed semi format and Tuka having to run a 1 :44 to get into final didnt help. And great point above about Tuka's inability to think and adjust during the race.

Probably lack of big meet experience

[Weights&Shoes]

This win is huge for Rudisha and exactly what he needed going into Rio next year.

Yup. Congrats to David.

[Bruce Kritzler]

Rudisha did an incredible job of re-inventing himself after getting out-kicked in some of those DL races. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Exactly, he and/or his coach, adjusted his race strategy to his fitness level. Think his last lap was about 51.6. Hard to make up ground, if you are not right with the leader, on a slow first lap.

[betterthanb4]

Happy for Rudisha ! Hope he remains healthy for Rio.

[Powell]

Kszczot was apparently intent on never moving away from the curb. All his moves were on the inside. It was a pretty risky strategy, but it worked pretty well in the end. Could have been even better if his first move, trying to overtake Rudisha on the outside with 200 to go had been successful, but can't complain about silver.

[Per Andersen]

Tactical master class from the 2 Kenyans the way they fended off the field during the first lap. Rotich sacrificed himself. Kszczot was terrific. He had to try to pass Rudisha on the inside, it was his only chance. Glad to see Rudisha back on top.

[Peter Michaelson]

I assume, given the blue uniform and the fact that Tookie was a Crip, that Tuka is also, although not from Los Angeles and no blue bandanna.

[gh]

This is definitely the feel-good moment of the meet for me.

[berkeley]

I've seen plenty of negative splits, but I don't remember a MORE negative one in a major championship than this one. 54.1/51.7 ? And a last 400 in 27.4/24.3 ? Seems to be a trend here, what with Dibaba's antics.

[player]

I've seen plenty of negative splits, but I don't remember a MORE negative one in a major championship than this one. 54.1/51.7 ? And a last 400 in 27.4/24.3 ? Seems to be a trend here, what with Dibaba's antics.

Ovett/Coe Moscow '80 was even more negative: 54.55/50.85 = 1:45.40

[mal]

I suspect he is talking about Symmonds. If so, I'm not sure this year ... no good results other than his USAs win. For an in form Symmonds, I'd tend to agree though.

Bingo. This is why racing is better than time trialing. This race would have been made for him

[gh]

Kszczot was apparently intent on never moving away from the curb. All his moves were on the inside. It was a pretty risky strategy, but it worked pretty well in the end. Could have been even better if his first move, trying to overtake Rudisha on the outside with 200 to go had been successful, but can't complain about silver.

And he almost paid a huge price! Anything in the Polish media about stepping on the curb? I've got a photo of him on the first backstretch, foot on the rail and ankle about folded all the way over to the infield. I can't imagine he could continue to stand after that, let alone run!

[Bill S]

Talk about a tough one to rank this year!!

The WC champ loses most other races, the consistent DL winner (Amos) doesn't make it out of the semis at the WCs and loses the DL final, and the DL final winner is second or third in almost every other race.

Good luck.