Beijing 2008 800m reports and previews

[Final report]   [Semifinal reports]   [Heat reports]   [Preview]  

Beijing 800m final report
Bungei becomes Olympic champion
Bungei (2246) just manages to stay ahead of Ismail (2914)
Yego (2251) gets bronze ahead of Reed (1295) and Kamel (1257)

He must have had his doubts, over the years. So many brilliant races, so many wins and fast times, but never when it really mattered. Wilfred Bungei already took silver in the 2001 world championships, behind the then unstoppable Swiss André Bucher. Many predicted a range of titles. Yet, despite being the fastest 800m runner in the world in 2003, 2004 and 2005 the titles never materialized. A world indoor title in 2006 was the best he could manage. Beijing was possibly his last chance. With Kaki and Borzakovkiy already gone his chances looked better than expected. But his lack of a sprint finish limited his options - a slow race would ruin his chances. In a fast race though the opportunity might well come his way. Bungei found himself in front early on and simply took it from there. The Kenyan led from the start and even if there was a nailbiting finish nobody was able to deny him a thoroughly deserved gold medal.

As expected the Kenyans took charge from the start. Bungei and Yego ran side by side as they reached 200 in a fairly fast 25.2 with Madi and Manseur close behind. The pace slowed a bit towards the bell which was reached in 53.35, Bungei and Yego still leading, Ismail in third while López had also moved forward. Reed was right at the back, slightly detached even, perhaps a bit unwise in a potentially fast race.

Towards 500m Bungei accelerated, Yego allowed a slight gap and Ismail went past on the inside into second place. At 600 Bungei was still well in the lead, Ismail and López went after him as Yego appeared to be struggling in fourth and Kamel was already closing on him as well. Around the bend Bungei couldn't quite sustain the pace and Ismail and López looked ready to strike. Kamel went past Yego and Reed was finally making his move as well. Madi tried hard but couldn't hang on and Manseur was at the back and was never really in the race.

At 50 meters out Bungei's arms were all over the place as he was clearly struggling to maintain any speed. But Ismail could not get past and it was actually López who had to let go. Kamel passed him on the inside and looked set to take bronze for a few moments, but suddenly Yego and Reed found the sort of finishing speed that led them to the gold and silver in last years world championships and both sprinted home. Bungei desperately hung on, Ismail leaned into the finish but just couldn't reach the Kenyan anymore and had to be content with silver. Yego outsprinted Reed and Kamel for the bronze. López gave up when he saw his chances of a medal had gone and strolled home, just ahead of the two Algerians.

After the race Bungei was remarkably serene. Asked how he felt about his long overdue main title he observed that 'patience always pays'. He made a reference to Hicham El Guerrouj - missing out in 1996 and 2000 yet being patient and taking double gold in 2004. Asked how he was able to stay at the top for so many years his answer was equally sobering: 'discipline, patience, and being able to listen to your coach'.

The medal ceremony saw three happy faces. Wilfred Bungei - for once without sunglasses - was beaming. Ismail Ahmed Ismail was clearly content with the silver - the first medal for Sudan, although most had expected another athlete (Kaki) to achieve that. As for Alfred Kirwa Yego, his bronze medal has confirmed that last years world title was no fluke. And after dropping from 2nd to 5th place in the race between 500 and 700 he couldn't have hoped for much more. But nobody's grin was as big as Bungei's. His dream had finally come true. 

  Result:
1 Wilfred Bungei        KEN 1:44.65
2 Ismail Ahmed Ismail   SUD 1:44.70
3 Alfred Kirwa Yego     KEN 1:44.82
4 Gary Reed             CAN 1:44.94
5 Yusuf Saad Kamel      BRN 1:44.95
6 Yeimer López          CUB 1:45.88
7 Nabil Madi            ALG 1:45.96
8 Nadjim Manseur        ALG 1:47.19
Beijing 800m semifinal reports

Three semifinals, so only the two first finishers qualify for the final, two more places would go to the fastest losers. From a fast semi four athletes might qualify. The weather wasn't particularly good - it was pouring with rain.

High drama in these semifinals. Kaki and Borzakovskiy, two red hot favourites, both out. Mulaudzi gone, Chepkirwok gone. Who are left? Two Kenyans, Bungei and Yego, both looked strong. López looked impressive as well. Kamel had to qualify as a fastest loser, but at least he's there, it will be his first major final. Ismail and Reed had to work hard for qualification but might still have a decent chance at a medal. Manseur and Madi would appear to be the outsiders, but after the totally unexpected results of the semis any prediction seems risky. The only front runner in the final might be Bungei, and if he makes it a fast race Yego and López look like his main contenders. If the race is slow anyone might go for Olympic glory.

Beijing 800m heat reports

In total 61 competitors entered, which made for eight heats. The first two of each heat qualified automatically for the semis, eight more would qualify on a fast time. Fast heats could see three of four athletes progressing, in slow heats only the first two might qualify. The question in heats like these is always whether any athlete wants to set a decent pace putting his own chances at risk.

So, all of the favourites went through, although Mulaudzi looked all but convincing and Reed had to qualify as one of the fastest losers. Kamel didn't look in great form either, but Borzakovskiy, López, Kaki and Bungei looked ready to do well.


Beijing 800m preview

A new generation of 800m runners has made the headlines this season. They will try and grab the medals ahead of some of the more established athletes. The races promise to be fast, furious and exciting. Because of the emerging talents it looks unlikely any real outsider might do well.

All those that have ran well earlier this season are present - with the exception of the Kenyan talent David Rudisha. He missed the Kenyan trials and was therefore unable to qualify. But all the other candidates are there - and most of them look in scintillating form. There would appear to be four major candidates for Olympic gold.

At least a handful of other athletes look well capable of getting among the medals:

At the 800m surprises often happen, and surely Beijing will see one or two athletes doing well beyond expectation. Of the three US runners Nick Symmonds (USA) could do well. He has seriously improved himself this season, but might lack experience. Boaz Lalang (KEN) is yet another young Kenyan - rising fast - very fast even. But an unknown quantity otherwise. He could go out in the heats - or stroll to the final. No one knows. Nobody had heard of Nadjim Manseur (ALG) two months ago - but he has improved himself impressively the past few months. With Michael Rimmer (GBR), another athlete who ran a new PB recently, we could see the first English runner in an Olympic 800m final for years. Ismail Ahmed Ismail (SUD) was Olympic finalist in 2004 - if he can repeat that it might be of great significance since he might run as a team with Kaki. Robert Lathouwers (NED) has surprised many with his excellent performances this season. Finally Manuel Olmedo (ESP) appears to be Spains best chance for a runner in the final.

Prediction before the start of the Olympics:
1. Abubaker Kaki
2. Yuriy Borzakovskiy
3. Mbulaeni Mulaudzi