Tokyo Olympics: Peter Bol’s family elated after WA runner makes 800m final

All of Australia would have celebrated when Peter Bol romped through his semi-final last night to reach the prestigious 800m final.

Even more so in WA, where followers have embraced the story of a man who came to our state at age eight after fleeing from war-torn Sudan and spending four years in a refugee camp in Egypt.

But no one celebrated harder than Bol’s family – and the scenes in the above video prove it.

From Tokyo, the 27-year-old posted vision of his family and friends losing their minds back home as he approaches and then crosses the finish line on Seven’s Olympic television coverage.

The packed loungeroom erupted as Bol sealed his place in the Games final, becoming the first Australian man to do so since all the way back in 1968.

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After his blistering run, which broke his own Australian record from the heats a day prior, Bol said his family had been riding every bump.

“My sister was so nervous… it’s all over now, but she’s got to wait a few days for it to go all over again,” he said.

Camera Icon Peter Bol celebrates his semi-final win. Credit: JOE GIDDENS/AAPIMAGE

Bol only took up athletics at age 16 on the advice of a teacher at St Norbert College in Queens Park, and stormed to win a place at the Rio Olympics in 2016 before failing to get past the heat stage.

But his rapid improvement has continued in the five years since, with the Aussie now considered a genuine medal hope ahead of Wednesday night’s final.

Bol last night revealed the words from his coach Justin Rinaldi that were ringing in his ears as he took to the track for his successful semi-final.

“He said, ‘Don’t make me cry today’,” Bol said.

“He also told me not to slow down.

Camera Icon Bol on the line. Credit: Petr David Josek/AP

“It was a weird race, but I backed myself and I put myself in the best position to qualify.”