Unique double for Lagat
Bernard Lagat on Sunday made history by becoming the first man to win both the 5,000m and 1,500m world titles, as Jeremy Wariner and Allyson Felix added more gold to their bulging collections.
Bernard Lagat on Sunday made history by becoming the first man to win both the 5,000m and 1,500m world titles, as Jeremy Wariner and Allyson Felix added more gold to their bulging collections.
Kenyan-born Lagat, who gained US citizenship two years ago but only recently became eligible to compete for them after a mandatory wait under international rules, muscled his way past Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge to win on the line.
The 32-year-old, who won the Olympic bronze in 2000 and the silver in 2004 for Kenya, charged at the bell to clock a time of 13 minutes 45.87 seconds.
While no one has achieved the rare 5,000-1,500m feat at the worlds before two men have done so at the Olympics—Paavo Nurmi in 1924 and Morrocan great Hicham El Guerrouj in 2004.
“The double means a lot to me,” said Lagat, and credited El Guerrouj for inspiration.
“The story I was following was the one by Hicham El Guerrouji in Athens. I wanted to do the same because he inspired me. He is a wonderful man and friend.”
The champinships ended with the United States topping the medal table with 14 gold, ahead of Kenya on five and Russia on four, but the final day was marred by an "abnormal" doping test.
World Athletics Chief Lamine Diack would not reveal the name, nationality or the discipline of the athlete involved while the testing procedure is still ongoing.
Kenyan Alfred Yego claimed his country's first 800m title since 1993 when he stormed to the finish in 1 minute 47.
Tyson Gay wins 3rd gold TYSON GAY joined some fast, fast company. Allyson Felix is a race away from doing the same.
The powerhouse pair helped the United States sweep the men's and women's 4x100-meter relays at the world track and field championship. Gay joined Carl Lewis and Maurice Greene as the only men to win three gold medals at one world meet.
Felix, winner of the 200 meters on Friday night, earned her second gold and can get a third in the women's 4x400 relay in the meet's final session Sunday night.
Only one other woman has won three golds in the meet's history—Marita Koch of East Germany at the first world championships in 1983.
