Olympics: Emmanuel Korir Extends Kenya’s 800m Dominance
Kenyan athlete Emmanuel Korir won the men’s 800 metres Gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, extending the East African nation’s dominance of an event they have now won four times in a row.
His compatriot Ferguson Rotich pushed hard in the last 50m to make it a Kenyan one-two as he clocked 1:45.23, taking silver. Poland’s Patryk Dobek claimed the bronze.
Kenya’s double Olympic gold medallist David Rudisha’s persistent injuries denied him the chance to defend his title, opening a path for a new champion to emerge and Korir powered his way to victory with a time of 1:45.06.
“I don’t know what to say, just thanks to God,” Korir said. “This is a big thing for me after failing to qualify for the final in the 2017 and 2019 world championships. But today is my day. It’s been my prayer to be an Olympian, and today I am.”
His compatriot Rotich said he was pleased with the result for Kenya.
“We have been able to bring a gold medal to our country,” Rotich said. “Today we brought a silver and a gold, so it’s a plus to our country and our lives.”
Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.
