Peter Bol focused on medals after breaking records
Peter Bol #PeterBol
Peter Bol has advanced further than any other Australian 800m runner since Ralph Doubell at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968, but the Aussie runner didn’t come this far to only go this far.
Bol came second in his heat behind Kenyan favourite Ferguson Rotich, but set a new Australian record of 1:44:13, beating his good mate and training partner Joseph Deng’s record of 1:44:22.
The 27-year-old went even faster in his semi on Sunday night, finishing first and lowering the record again to 1:44:11.
But he’s not done there.
Bol isn’t content just to make the final. He wants medals.
“It’s a new Australian record, and I’m into the final, so that’s history,” he said after his semi-final win on Sunday night.
“But times and records can go – and as you can see, I took Joseph’s record – but championships, golds, they stay with you forever.
“So that’s what I’m chasing.”
Rotich and London 2012 silver medallist Nijel Amos will go into the 800m final as the big favourites, but Bol’s impressive form over his first two races should see him in the mix at the pointy end of the race.
Not bad considering Bol wasn’t able to race outside Australia at all this year until early July.
Despite the favouritism of Rotich and Amos, Bol knows anything is possible once the gun fires on Wednesday night.
“First things first, job’s done today but there’s still a lot to go,” Bol said after his semi.
“You can’t underestimate any of these runners – top of the world.
“Any day, someone could come out and beat you so I’ve got to stay focussed, stay humble.”
His story and his lightning quick runs have created a firestorm back home, but the Sudanese-born Bol is taking it all in stride.
“(It’s) creating a lot of noise back home, so I’ve got to stay humble with that,” he said.
“I was embracing all of the social media stuff. I’ve gotta keep the same thing I’ve been doing.
“I love creating noise and hype, but I tend to go very well not believing it and staying humble. I do that perfectly fine.”
WHEN IS THE MEN’S 800m FINAL?
The 800m final will be run on Wednesday, August 4 at (AEST) 10:05pm.
WHO IS IN THE 800m FINAL?
Here’s the startlist for the 800, final.
Lane One – Gabriel Tual (FRA)
Lane Two – Amel Tuka (BIH)
Lane Three – Patryk Dobek (POL)
Lane Four – Emmanuel Korir (KEN)
Lane Five – Clayton Murphy (USA)
Lane Six – Ferguson Rotich (KEN)
Lane Seven – Adrian Ben (ESP)
Lane Eight – Peter Bol (AUS)
Lane Nine – Nijel Amos (BOT)