David Rudisha's advice to athletes ahead of Tokyo World Championships

World 800m record holder David Rudisha has urged athletes to exercise caution in their race selections amid the rise of high-paying competitions. With the increasing number of lucrative events, Rudisha warns that over-racing before major championships could be detrimental to performance.

For instance, the inaugural Grand Slam Track event, set for Friday 6 to Sunday 8 March in Kingston, Jamaica will feature 48 challengers and 48 racers, competing for a historic total prize pool of $12.6 million.

The winners of each Slam race will take home a grand prize of $100,000. While such competitions provide significant financial incentives and an opportunity for athletes to test their endurance, Rudisha believes they must be approached strategically.

“These races help prepare athletes for major championships like the Tokyo World Championships. But during my time, I ran selectively to avoid burnout. My advice is to reserve energy for the main events and not over-race before big championships,” Rudisha told Mozzart Sport.

His words carry weight, given his enduring legacy in the 800m event. He set the world record at the 2012 London Olympics in what is hailed as "The Greatest 800 Meter Race Ever."

He led from start to finish and in so doing, he became the first runner to break the 1:41 barrier. His average speed per 200m segment was an astonishing 25.22 seconds.

Since his last competitive race in 2017, Rudisha has faced both physical and personal challenges, including a quadriceps injury that ended his comeback hopes, the loss of his father, a near-fatal car crash, and personal setbacks like marital issues.

However, he has remained steadfast in his role as an ambassador for the sport, offering guidance to the next generation of athletes.

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“Confidence has always been my strength. I always knew when I was going to run fast. I set the standard, just as those before me did. Now, it’s up to the new generation to push it further,” he added.

Beyond athletics, Rudisha has taken on ambassadorial roles at major events, including the World Championships in Budapest and last year's World Indoor Championships in Glasgow.

He has also become an advocate for climate change awareness, using his platform to drive meaningful conversations on global issues.

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