Kenya-born Bernard Lagat, who is now representing the United
States, beat the defending champion Rashid Ramzi from Bahrain in
men's 1,500m final of world athletics championships in Osaka on
Wednesday.
Lagat won the gold with a time of three minutes 34.77 seconds.
Ramzi finished second in 3:35.00, and Kenya's Shedrack Kibet Korir
got the bronze with 3:35.04.
"I have waited so long for that medal," said Lagat, "I am going
to inspire a lot of people in America and Kenya. My medal is for
the United States and everyone in America."
Lagat, the 2004 Olympic silver medalist of 32-year-old, holds
the national records of both his native Kenya and adopted US in
3:26.34 and 3:29.30, respectively.
Ramzi was very disappointed. "The shape was there but I failed
tactically. I didn't make my moves at the right time, neither with
400m to go when (American Alan) Webb and (Kenyan Asbel) Kiprop
blocked the way in front nor in the last home straight," said the
double champions of 800m and 1,500m in 2005 world
championships.
He was the first man who won a global 800m and 1,500m double
since Peter Snell from New Zealand won the two in 1964 Olympic
Games.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)