Spotlight 800 meters: at a sweet Strawberry Party, a sweet look at tomorrow’s clash

Kenia’s David Lekuta Rudisha and Sudan’s Abubakir Kaki were supposed to attended a Press Conference during the traditional Strawberry Party at Bislett Game’s eve, but the two 800m super-stars preferred to rest and left the conference table to other main actors of the meeting and, of course, to the sweet, red fruits.

Even without the two African athletes, the 800m were subject for debate. Why not? The clash between Rudisha (pb: 1:42.01 in Rieti 2009) and Kaki (pb: 1:42.69 in Oslo 2008) has the prospect of a fantastic race. “Since 2008, we have expected these two guys to dominate the world scene”, Rudisha’s manager James Templeton said. “But sometimes, you have to wait a bit.” Now, the time should have arrived. Pacemaker Sammi Tangui should pull the stars to 49 seconds flat after the first lap, and then, well, then everybody in the presumably sold out Bislett Stadium has to see what will happen. There won’t be a look in the other one’s eyes; there won’t be a tactical race for first place; there will be the one and only attempt at a great racing time, 1:43 minutes flat, or less.

In Doha, Rudisha won in exactly 1:43.00, but with a lot of wind the conditions were not the best possible. Sebastian Coe’s meeting record in Oslo (1:42.33) seems possible to reach – and actually in front of the Briton who still holds the oldest record at Bislett stadium. His run dates from July 5th, 1979.

And there is Wilson Kipketers World record, 1:41.11 minutes, too. Probably, this mark won’t be beaten at this year’s Bislett Games. Anyway, Rudisha (21) and Kaki (20) are the present and future of the 800 meters. In a few hours, they will show it to the world’s track and field community.