Kenyan runner David Rudisha made history Sunday, setting a new world record in the 800-meters.
The 21-year-old runner clocked 1:41.09 in the event at an international meet in Berlin, Germany. The previous record of 1:41:11 – set by another Kenyan-born athlete, Wilson Kipketer - had stood since 1997.
Reporter Andy Edwards caught up with Rudisha after his big run in Berlin and asked him about his achievement.
Listen to the full interview:
At last year’s world championships, held in the same stadium, Rudisha did not even reach the finals in his event. He says the cold weather played a role in that race, and when he decided to chase the world record this time around, he was hoping the temperature would cooperate.
“Sometimes weather can change in Berlin anytime and can be very cold, so I didn’t want to announce it earlier. So I said it will depend on the day and the time when I’ll stand at the line that is when I’ll decide whether to run the record or not.”
But Rudisha says that as he stood at the starting line, he knew he would be attempting the world record. “Before the race started I was expecting to run that fast,” he says.
Despite now holding the world record, Rudisha has yet to take home a major medal or championship. He says that is his next goal, and he is looking ahead to the world championship next year and the 2012 Olympics in London.
Rudisha is still hoping to improve his time and eventually beat his own record.
“I just want to fix some small things here and there and to see if I can break 1:41. That is my aim.”
