Amos and Rudisha Rivalry Could Threaten Magical Barrier

Published by Athletics Weekly on August 4, 2014

Two contrasting characters, Nijel Amos and David Rudisha have the potential to push each inside 100 seconds for 800m

Despite their fierce rivalry on the track, David Rudisha and Nijel Amos are good friends off it. It’s said that opposites attract and the superstars of the 800m scene could hardly be more different.

While Rudisha is calm and softly spoken, Amos is restless – almost hyperactive – and words fire out of his mouth like bullets from a machine gun.

In terms of running style, it’s a case of beauty and the beast, with Rudisha’s smooth stride in contrast to Amos’s ragged action. If the two men were boxers, Rudisha would probably fight by Queensbury Rules, flicking jabs out with orthodox precision, whereas the brawling Amos would likely bring the instincts of a streetfighter to the ring.

That’s the impression their 800m racing gives at any rate. Rudisha is all grace and guile against Amos’s rough and ready approach. It is the master versus the apprentice. Adidas v Nike. They are Africa’s modern-day answer to Seb Coe and Steve Ovett.

The rivalry began in earnest at the London Olympics when, in the greatest 800m race in history, Rudisha smashed the world record with 1:40.91 and Amos finished second in 1:41.73 – equalling Seb Coe’s former and long-standing world record from 1981 despite being aged only 18.