Augustine Choge, winner of the men's 1500m with a PB of 3:31.57 (© Getty Images)
Men's 1500mPREVIEW
After racing to two medal finishes in successive Olympic Games for his native Kenya, it would seem that the time has indeed come for Bernard Lagat. It took Hicham El Guerrouj, the finest miler of his generation, three tries before finally clinching gold over this classic distance, and in Beijing, Lagat will be further seeking to emulate his long-time rival and friend as he’ll tackle both the 1500m and 5000m.
Lagat, now 33 and wearing the colors of his adopted USA, will begin his quest in the 1500, arguably his better distance. He will be, by far, the most experienced Olympian in the field but history will not be on his side: no man has ever turned Olympic silver in Olympic gold. That bit of trivia will mean little to Lagat who ran to victory at both events at the World Championships last year.
In 11 races indoors and outdoors in 2008, ranging from 1500 to 5000m, Lagat has raced admirably, winning all but one outing. That lone defeat came in his final pre-Olympic outing in London, where running near the front from the gun, he faded considerably over the final 250 metres to finish third. His performance though may have been more an indication of legs tired from training than from lack of fitness. If anyone knows how to prepare for a major championship, it’s Lagat.
At the moment, his former Kenyan compatriots appear to pose the biggest obstacle to Lagat’s pursuit to repeat the feat of El Guerrouj. Augustine Choge, the early-season world leader after his 3:31.57 PB at the ISTAF meeting in Berlin, also won the fiercely competitive Kenyan trials in Nairobi before his last pre-Beijing outing in Paris, which he also won convincingly.
In both Nairobi and Paris, the runner-up was Asbel Kiprop, whose confident 3:31.64 victory in Rome was one of the most delightful-to-watch 1500m races of the season. A surprise fourth at the world championships a year ago, Kiprop has already collected some noteworthy honors. Last year he won both the world junior cross country title and the African Games crown at 1500m.
Another runner looking to emulate El Guerrouj is his 21-year-old compatriot, Abdelaati Iguider. A two-time World junior medallist, Iguider has won three of his five races, and hasn’t produced a poor outing. Consistent throughout the season, his performances have ranged from his PB 3:31.88 in Rome to 3:33.27.
2005 World champion Rashid Ramzi has raced little in 2008, but took silver at the World championships last year, so will presumably be ready.
Leading European hopes include Frenchman Mehdi Baala and Briton Andy Baddeley. Baala, the two-time European champion has primarily contested low-key meetings, but did run well in Rome, finishing fourth in 3:32.00. Baddelely has been the continent’s breakout performer this year after his solid victory at Oslo’s Dream Mile.
Surprises have been plentiful in Olympic 1500m finals. Four years ago, Portugal’s Rui Silva closed well to take surprise bronze and he’ll be back to defend his podium finish. Likewise, 20-year-old Deresse Mekonnen, outkicked a strong field in Valencia in March to take the World indoor title.
Bob Ramsak for the IAAF
