Is David Rudisha Update?

Coevett wrote:

He posted on Instagram earlier this year I think that he was back in training.

I can't believe that he wont be going for a third gold in Tokyo. He'll still be only 31. His appearance fees on the track and sponsorship must be way higher than any other athlete since Bolt retired.

TBH, it would be highly suspicious if he doesn't come back - on the El G retiring after Sydney just when the EPO tests came in suspicious scale.

Snell is still the GOAT, and it's still quite plausible to argue that Coe is still the greatest ever talent at 800m. Rudisha winning a third gold and it would be very hard to argue against Rudisha.

Can a runner over the age of 30 compete at the highest level in the 800m? Usually one would be in decline in term of speed.

But since Rudisha is significantly ahead of any other runner, he may be able to pull off the 3 peat.

Colin Jost wrote:

Can a runner over the age of 30 compete at the highest level in the 800m? Usually one would be in decline in term of speed.

But since Rudisha is significantly ahead of any other runner, he may be able to pull off the 3 peat.

Well he is only 1 year older than Rotich, and 3 years older than Nijel Amos, both of whom are favorites for Gold in Doha, and at this early point, probably Tokyo too with all the other young Kenyans going backwards.

Coe ran a low 1:43 at age 32 when he'd become a primarily 1500m runner for a long time, so Rudisha if he is healthy should have 1:42 speed in Tokyo, which might well be enough to win if Max Burgin isn't in the race.

Fact Check 2019 wrote:

I believe this is a pretty open and shut discussion.

None of these 800 runners have ever been caught doping and the only one who has ever had "suspicion" around any part of his career was Coe. Just running fast doesn't (or shouldn't) always equate to suspicion.

Rudisha is clearly the best 800 runner of all time and I don't think its particularly close. He has the medals, the times, and the consistency over a long period of time. He doesn't have to run another step and it doesn't change anything. Several posters keep trying to bark up the woulda, shoulda, coulda on ones line Snell but the reality is- they all had the careers that they had. Rudisha is unequivocally the greatest 800 runner of all time.

+1

Rudisha has had some personal issues this year which may have contributed to his lack of participation. His father, former Olympic medalist Daniel Rudisha passed away earlier this year in March 2019.

https://www.nation.co.ke/sports/athletics/daneil-rudisha-father-of-david-dies-in-nakuru/1100-5013518-qtr4iv/index.html

He was also involved in a car accident but is recovering with minor injuries.

https://deadspin.com/olympic-champion-david-rudisha-survives-car-crash-in-ke-1837560718

Why would it be highly suspicious ? The man has two Olympic Golds and is worth $5 million dollars in a third world country. He has everything he needs. Being an 800m athlete is one of the most injury prone distances because of the combination of speed training and distance.