David Rudisha retained his Olympic 800 metres title with another imperious display in Rio.
The Kenyan, who broke the world record in taking gold at London 2012, hit the front with 300m to go and stayed strong to come home in one minute 42.15 seconds. It was the fastest time in the world since that unforgettable run in London.
Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi took silver in 1min 42.61, with American Clayton Murphy getting bronze.
Rudisha’s 1:40.91 world record from four years ago was achieved with an awesome display of front-running, hailed by Lord Coe as his highlight of the whole Games.
Injuries have prevented the 27-year-old from reaching that level since, but the two-time world champion was still in total control.
His compatriot Alfred Kipketer set a crazy early pace, going through 400m in 49.23 seconds, but Rudisha sped past him down the back straight and from that moment there was only one winner.
