While Usain Bolt might have taken all the plaudits for his stellar win in the 200 meters, but David Rudisha deserved as much and more after the Kenyan legend broke the world record on his way to the gold medal in the 800 meters.
Rudisha, the overwhelming favorite coming into the final, became the first person ever to dip under one minute, 41 seconds, creating a world record in the process clocking 1:40.91. 18-year-old Nijel Amos of Botswana (1:41.73) took silver with another teenager Kenya's Timothy Kitum (1:42.53) winning bronze.
"I am very happy," the 23-year-old Olympic champion said. "I've waited for this moment for a very long time. To come here and get a world record is unbelievable.
"I had no doubt about winning. Today the weather was beautiful -- I decided to go for it (world record)."
There was never any doubt of the winner, with Rudisha jumping into the lead right from the beginning, completing the opening lap in 49.28 seconds. In the second and final lap, he went further clear from the field, and sniffing the world record, went for it at the straight, with the Kenyan looking like he had plenty more in reserve after crossing the finish line.
"He is the outstanding 800 meter runner of his generation," former 1500M gold medal winner, Sebastian Coe, said, "And I will say it, probably on paper the most impressive track and field athlete at these Games.
"That was simply an unbelievable performance. David Rudisha showed supreme physical and mental confidence to run like that in an Olympic final.
"Instead of just doing enough to win the race, he wanted to do something extraordinary and go for the world record as well. Rudisha's run will go down in history as one of the greatest Olympic victories."
Bronze medallist Kitum agreed. "Yes, he's the greatest runner," the fellow Kenyan said. "He told me he's going to run a world record today. He's the best."
Rudisha, however, believes he can do better. "Nobody has ever done the world record in the 800 without pace-setting," he said.
"I thought it was going to be difficult today. But I was very determined. In the heats, I could see the track was fast and I was just praying for perfect weather.
"It was incredible to break the record, but I was a little bit tired after the heats and semi-finals.
"If I can get to a race in perfect conditions and fresh, I think I can even improve on that."
The world record run drew comparisons to Bolt's achievements at the Games; however with the Jamaican running the 100 and 200, and Rudisha the 800, the Kenyan jokingly suggested maybe they could meet halfway and run a once-in-a-lifetime 400, to see who is better.
"He used to run 400 meters," Rudisha said. "I also run 400 meters early in the season and we were just making fun, and saying that maybe just one time we should race over 400 and see who wins, it would be great.
"Usain Bolt is the greatest sprinter I have ever seen. People love Bolt because of his great achievements. I knew if I could do something special tonight, it would be great for me."
