Home > Rio 2016

David Rudisha solidifies himself as an all-time great with Olympic 800m win

Kenya's David Rudisha solidified himself as one of the great middle-distance runners in history with a win in the men's 800m at the Olympics.

David Rudisha

David Rudisha runs a WL 1:42.15 to retain his Olympic title #athletics #rio2016 #olympics

A photo posted by IAAF (@iaaf_athletics) on

David Rudisha solidified himself as one of the great middle-distance runners in history on Monday evening in Rio. The Kenyan ran 1:42.15 to win the men’s 800m final to defend his Olympic title from four years ago.

Kenya’s Alfred Kipketer took the race out at a ridiculous pace going through the first 400m in 49.23. That’s faster than the 400m split in the 800m world record back in 2012. He would fade to seventh.

At the 450m-mark, Rudisha took the lead and never relinquished it as he held on for a half-second win. He’s the first man to repeat as the Olympic 800m champion in 52 years. It’s the fastest time in the world since he ran his record of 1:40.91 in London in 2012.

Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi was second in a new national record of 1:42.61. He is expected to contend for the 1,500m title later these Games and defend his crown from the 2012 Olympics.

American Clayton Murphy ran an incredible race for the bronze medal. He shattered his previous personal best and ran 1:42.93. That time makes him the third fastest American 800m runner of all-time. Murphy ended a 24-year medal drought in the men’s 800m for the United States. Murphy is only 21.

Results and splits

SPLIT ATHLETE COUNTRY MARK
400m Alfred KIPKETER KEN 49.23
600m David Lekuta RUDISHA KEN 1:16.04
POS BIB ATHLETE MARK DETAIL
1 2696 David Lekuta RUDISHAKEN 1:42.15 SB
2 2009 Taoufik MAKHLOUFIALG 1:42.61 NR
3 3091 Clayton MURPHYUSA 1:42.93 PB
4 2415 Pierre-Ambroise BOSSEFRA 1:43.41 SB
5 2695 Ferguson Cheruiyot ROTICHKEN 1:43.55 SB
6 2844 Marcin LEWANDOWSKIPOL 1:44.20 SB
7 2681 Alfred KIPKETERKEN 1:46.02
8 3050 Boris BERIANUSA 1:46.15

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The best trainers in Canada under $150

We curated the best performance trainers under $150 to meet your 2024 running goals, while staying on budget