800m Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi on why he loves Cross Country races

Emmanuel Wanyonyi’s rapid ascent on the track has made him one of the most exciting talents in the world today.

Recently crowned Olympic 800m gold medalist, the 20-year-old Kenyan has not only rewritten his personal bests but has also come close to the legendary world record held by David Rudisha.

Rudisha’s world record of 1:40.91, set during his unforgettable gold medal run at the 2012 London Olympics, has stood the test of time.

He led from gun to tape to win gold in what was acclaimed "The Greatest 800 Meter Race Ever". In doing so, he became the first and, so far, the only runner to break the 1:41 barrier in the 800m.

For over a decade, no one has been able to surpass that historic mark.

But amidst Wanyonyi’s record-breaking achievements on the track, his passion for cross-country races remains unwavering.

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This season, Wanyonyi opened his journey with a dominant victory in the men’s 2km race at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country, signalling his intention to build a strong foundation for the season.

For the youngster, cross country is a stepping stone that sharpens his endurance and mental resilience.

“I love competing in cross country races because it’s a great build-up. Even when you run and finish last, you always feel like you’re on the right track,” he shared.

His season only grew more remarkable from there. Wanyonyi’s mastery over the 800m reached new heights when he cracked the 1:42 barrier at the Kenyan Olympic trials. But he did not stop there.

At the Paris Diamond League meet, just a month before the Paris 2024 Olympics, he set a personal best of 1:41.58. This achievement positioned him as the world’s fastest man over 800m this season and established him as a top contender heading into the Olympic Games.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Wanyonyi lived up to expectations with a stunning gold-medal performance. Leading from the front, he held off all challengers to secure the title with a winning time of 1:41.19, making him the third-fastest man over 800m in history.

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His momentum continued to surge after the Olympics; at the Diamond League in Lausanne, he improved his personal best once again to 1:41.11, bringing him within a mere 0.20 seconds of Rudisha’s iconic world record.

Despite his recent triumphs, Wanyonyi is far from resting on his laurels. As he prepares for the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, cross-country racing remains a key part of his training.

“It all depends on how my body will respond in training next year. I was confident of winning a medal at the Olympics… preparations towards Tokyo have already started.

I pray that my body responds well because I’ve already started training slowly. When I go to Tokyo, I want to try my best,” he said.

Of course, the ghost of Rudisha’s London 2012 victory will not be the only thing Wanyonyi will need to beat next season.

He will also need to keep a close eye on current world champion and Paris 2024 silver medalist Marco Arop, as well as Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati, who won a bronze medal behind Wanyonyi and Arop at Paris 2024.

Arop’s personal best of 1:41.20 makes him the fourth-fastest runner over 800m in history, with Sedjati holding down the fifth spot on the all-time list with a time of 1:41.46.

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