‘Kenyans are talking about your top Scottish athletes’ – David Rudisha

Thursday 7th March 2024

Photo by Bobby Gavin

What a week: Rudisha at Glasgow Green, Crouser at Linwood

Global track legend David Rudisha has revealed Kenyan athletes are acutely aware of the rise of top Scots.

World Champs 1500m wins for Jake Wightman in 2022 and then Josh Kerr in 2023 under-lined Scottish success with Laura Muir also a global medallist at the Olympics in 2021 and the World Champs in Oregon the following year.

Rudisha was in Glasgow as International Ambassador for the World Indoors and wached Kerr storm to glory in the Men’s 3000m . . . with Paris very much on his mind.

Kenyan Timothy Cheruiyot split Josh and Jakob Ingebrigtsen to win silver at the last Olympics and Abel Kipsang was fourth in that race in Tokyo.

‘Yes, people in athletics in Keny are talking about Scottish athletes – absolutely,’ said Rudisha, double Olympic champion at 800m and World Record holder.

‘You are doing very well especially in the middle distance. There is always tough competition with British and Scottish athletes with our Kenyans – like Faith Kipyegon and Laura Muir. And Josh Kerr against our top guys.

‘When you have this competition, and your athletes winning World titles, then it only makes sure that Kenyan athletes know they have to work very hard to beat you.’

Rudisha was Olympic champion when he raced at Glasgow 2014 but had to settle for silver as Nijel Amos took gold instead at Hampden.

‘It is ten years now since I raced here at the Commonwealth Games. So a while ago now but I am glad to be back and helping with the World Indoors.

‘It was great to see the action and there were a lot of high level performances – there were World Records in track and in field and some fast times.’

Photo by Jeff Holmes

David spoke to us against the backdrop of the Allan Scalley Road Relays at Glasgow Green in a slightly surreal moment last Saturday afternoon.

Runners from the 47 clubs represented epitomised the ‘double take’ body language when they spotted him getting ready for the medal presentations on behalf of Shettleston Harriers.

‘It is really very impressive to see hundreds of athletes turn out for a club road relay event,’ added David.

‘I think to me it shows that sport is an activity which is important to people around here. I understand this event has been on for a number of years in Scotland and it well supported.

‘I am glad to be here and glad to be in Scotland for the World indoors as the International Ambassador for Glasgow 24.’