BUDAPEST (06-Mar-2004) -- Bernard Lagat's victory tonight was not only his nation's first-ever victory in the 3000 meters at a World Indoor Championships.  For the 29-year-old Kenyan, for years among the finest middle distance runners in the world, it was also redemption, vindication, and finally, his first title of "World Champion."

"It felt really good to be here in Budapest this year after all the problems that happened last year" Lagat said, referring to the announcement last summer that he had tested positive for the endurance-booster EPO, a decision that was later reversed.  "I had to channel all my negative energy towards a good thing. I wanted to run hard as a way of thanking my friends --my true friends-- my family, and my true fans who believed in me through the whole ordeal. And there was nothing better that I could do than just come to Budapest and win for them as a way of telling them 'thank you.'"

After holding off Rui Silva's ferocious attack in the final 200 meters, Lagat did finally win that elusive world title when he reached the finish line in 7:56.34, 74 one-hundredths of a second ahead of the Portuguese middle distance star.

"I have never actually beaten Silva when it comes down to a two-man race," Lagat said, clearly indicating that Silva's kick was weighing heavily on his mind. "It was challenging in my mind, because I knew he was close and could pass me at any time. I knew he was coming, and it wouldn't surprise me if he would pass me because I know he's a great athlete with great speed. It was tough for me mentally."

After a slow 4:17.8 first half, Australian record holder Craig Mottram pushed the pace, bringing the field through the 2000 meter point in 5:33.01, with Lagat, Ethiopian Markos Geneti and Silva behind, following in single file. The order shifted with 600 meters to go, when Lagat, Geneti, Silva and Spaniard Antonio David Jimenez passed the fading Australian. At the  bell, Silva, the 2001 indoor champion at 1500 meters, issued a strong challenge for the lead, but the Kenyan would not yield.

Content with the runner-up spot, Silva glanced back briefly before easing up at the finish to reach the line in 7:57.08. The 19-year-old Geneti, who made headlines last month when he beat Haile Gebrselassie in a two mile race, took the bronze in 7:57.87.

"The race went somehow the way were expecting," Lagat said of the initial slow pace. "Nobody was going to take it, and that's something that we all have to accept. Then at one point Craig [Mottram] took it hard and I followed him because I knew it was the only strategy for me if I was going to have a chance to win."

Spaniards Jimenez (7:58.23) and Sergio Gallardo (7:58.96) finished fourth and fifth. The second half of the race was covered in 3:38.5, faster than the two previous world indoor championship 1500m races.

Initially, Lagat said he couldn't find the words to convey his disbelief that he could have tested positive for EPO.

"Just disbelief, when being told you've done something you haven't done," he said. "It's like being told today that you are a child molester, and you haven't ever done anything like that.  So in the same way, being told you are dirty, that you have used drugs, but you haven't used them. It's the worst nightmare that can ever happen to an athlete.  Especially happening to somebody who has never used drugs, and never ever even thought about using drugs."

"I was telling my friends and family, that if I used drugs," he continued, "it would be better to just get out of track and field because it doesn't mean anything anymore.  It's a family sport for us.  It started with my father and my mother, all the way to my sisters and brothers. I have never used drugs, and I will never ever do that. It still hurts knowing [that I've been accused], knowing that I've never ever used drugs.  So, I'm happy today.  This is a stepping stone for the Olympics.  For my fans and my family and my true friends."

Lagat and his manager James Templeton still aren't satisfied with the way his case has been handled. How, he still asks, did the positive and negative tests emerge?  "It's a question that we all have to ask," he said, referring to the media in the interview room and athletics fans around the world. "We have asked and we still haven't been given enough answers that can satisfy us.  But we know that there is something wrong somewhere.  That's something that we all have to find out."

In hindsight, Lagat said all the negative attention and damaging press he received over the past seven months might have been for the best.

"At some point I think I'll look back and say that it was good that such a thing happened," he said. "Because maybe that's given me a little push. Maybe I wouldn't have won this year if something like that wouldn't have happened. Because I channeled all the negative energy I had -- anger, frustration, hate. All that. Finally I rejoiced," he concluded, because finally there was justice.  Justice prevailed."

Official Results - 3000m - Men - Final 

2nd 1500 in 3:38.5

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