Double Olympic champion David Rudisha opens up on reason behind early retirement
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Sun. 02.02.25. | 13:34
Despite his dominance, Rudisha’s competitive career was cut short, as injuries forced him to retire in 2018
Athletics continuously produces unforgettable moments, and few have been as electrifying as David Rudisha’s record-breaking run at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
On August 9, 2012, the Kenyan middle-distance icon delivered a masterclass in the discipline, setting a world record of 1:40.91 in the 800m final. He became the first man to dip under 1:41.
Twelve years later, that mark still stands.
Despite his dominance, Rudisha’s competitive career was cut short, as injuries forced him to retire in 2018.
Speaking candidly about his decision to step away from the sport, the two-time Olympic and world champion revealed that the physical toll became too much to bear.
“I had competed in the 800m for a long time, and injuries had taken their toll on me. The results were terrible. My body felt bad, something I had never experienced before. I told myself, not again,” Rudisha told Nation Sports.
His final competitive race was on July 4, 2017, at the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary. He won with a time of 1:44.90.
However, a quadriceps muscle strain ruled him out of the World Championships in London later that year. That injury marked the beginning of a prolonged struggle with a tendon issue near his sitting bone, preventing him from ever making a comeback.
Unlike many middle-distance runners who transition to longer races with age, Rudisha found it difficult to move up in distance due to injuries and weight-related challenges.
“Some athletes are lucky to return and perform, but not in my case, since I was a little bit heavy. I was perfect at 400m, 600m, and 800m, hence moving up proved difficult,” he offered.
Beyond his physical struggles, Rudisha faced personal hardships. He lost his father, Daniel, in 2018, survived a serious car crash, and endured the breakdown of his marriage. All these factors eventually compounded his decision to step away from the track.
Despite his early retirement, Rudisha’s impact on athletics remains profound.
Since then, he has taken on ambassadorial roles, including at the World Championships in Budapest and the forthcoming World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, solidifying his legacy beyond his competitive career.
Confidence has always been Rudisha’s armour. He is a man not afraid to push the boundaries to achieve his goals and dreams. That was the case in Berlin, Rieti and London. He always knew when he was going to run fast.
Rudisha introduced himself to the international athletics scene in 2006 by winning the world 800m U20 title. He would go on to dominate the 800m in a career spanning 11 years.
.jpg)
