Rudisha finally calls time on illustrious track career

World 800m record holder and double-Olympics champion David Rudisha has finally admitted that his time on the track is up and he is ready to leave the craft to the youngsters.

The 33-year old has endured a long list of challenges and injury setbacks that have kept him off the track since July 2017. From a quad muscle, back problems, a car crash and surgery for a broken ankle the man had still maintained that he is preparing for a track comeback.

Have we seen the last of David Rudisha?

However, reality seems to have finally dawned on the police officer who has since delved into Australian football coaching.

“I know that the future of the sport and the distance is secure. I know my active journey has come to an end. I do not think I have the capacity to transition to the longer road races. I feel that my body was able to give the best on track, in 800m, so this is it for me.

I have partnered with renowned tactician brother Colm O’Connell on a few mentorship programs to coach he youngsters to ensure there is continuity and they know what it takes to compete at the highest level,” offered Rudisha.

At the 2012 Olympics, Rudisha lowered his world record to 1:40.91, leading from the break and towing six of the seven other finalists to personal bests.

In 2013, Rudisha discovered a right knee injury while running in New York’s Central Park. He went more than one year between competitions, yet returned to win the 2015 World and 2016 Olympic titles, becoming the first repeat Olympic men’s 800m champ since New Zealand’s Peter Snell in 1964.