Who's saying what after Rudisha retained 800m gold
What you need to know:
- It was Kenya’s second gold medal at the Games after Jemima Sumgong made history as the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic marathon title on Sunday.
Who's saying what as world record-holder David Rudisha retained his Olympic 800m title in an exciting fashion on Monday at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro:
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto led the nation in congratulating Rudisha both on their Facebook page and Twitter handle.
“We are so very proud of @rudishadavid for retaining his 800 metres gold at #Rio2016 #KEN #ShangiliaKenya.”
- President Uhuru Kenyatta reacts to Rudisha’s win.
(READ: Peerless Rudisha seals historic Olympic 800m double - PHOTOS)
“Olympic title. The country salutes you,” said Ruto on his Twitter handle @WilliamsRuto. “Hongera for carrying the Kenyan flag high in Rio!”
“You have made our country proud by not only defending your 800m Olympic title, but also being the first man to do so in 52 years. The country salutes you as our great ambassador,” added Ruto on his Facebook page.
World Rugby Sevens Series all-time leading try scorer, Kenya’s Collins Injera also saluted Rudisha for braving the adverse weather to triumph.
“@rudishadavid, it was worth the wait in this cold and rain...... congrats buddy,” said Injera, OGW @cinjera. The 800m final was delayed for over one hour owing to afternoon rains in Rio de Janeiro.
Kipgeyon Bett, who is fresh from winning the World Junior 800m title last month in Poland, a title Rudisha held in 2006 in China, said on his Facebook page: “Warm hands to King David Rudisha for defending his Olympic title#Gold for Kenya#Like wise to Ferguson $Kipketer#Congratulations#.”
USA-based Kenyan blogger and journalist Mukurima X Muriuki expounded on his Facebook page.
Mukurima expounded on Rudisha’s achievement and made comparisons between the Kenyan and New Zealand’s Peter Snell who was the last man to win back-to-back 800m title in 1960 and 1964.
“Now this is where it gets interesting as Snell and Rudisha have other things in common,” said Mukurima.
“Snell was born on December 17. You guessed it right. David Rudisha was born on December 17 as well. Snell is half a century older than Rudisha. It has taken half a century for Rudisha to achieve the same feat as Snell of back to back Olympic titles,” said Mukurima as he congratulated Rudisha for making Kenya proud.
Rudisha dedicated his victory to his fans all over the world and above all, his country Kenya. “I want to thank all those who woke up at 4am to watch the race and for all your steadfast support throughout the years. #TeamRudisha #TeamKenya,”said Rudisha on his Facebook page.
“I am truly humbled. I am honoured. Lots of appreciation to #TeamKenya. Thank you.” “Thank you for all your support.”
Rudisha clocked season’s best 1 minute and 42.15 seconds to win.
Rudisha, who won the 2012 London Olympics 800m gold in world record breaking feat of 1:40.91, edged out Algerian Taoufik Makhloufi and Clayton Murphy from USA to silver and bronze in 1:42.61 (national record) and 1:42.92(PB) respectively.
It was Kenya’s second gold medal at the Games after Jemima Sumgong made history as the first Kenyan woman to win an Olympic marathon title on Sunday.
