The world record for the 800 metres race was broken by 21 year old Kenyan David Rudisha on Sunday the 22nd August at the Olympic stadium in Berlin. His record breaking time was 1 minute 41.09 seconds which beat the previous time of 1 minute 41.11 held by Wilson Kipketer of Denmark which was also set in Germany but in Cologne.

The Kenyan runner said that he now hoped to run the 800 metres in under 1 minute 41 seconds, a remarkable task if he can achieve it. He also stated that whilst he was happy to have set a new world record his next task is to win a medal at the 2011 World Championships and eventually become an Olympic champion.

Rudisha has competed in many events as a junior runner notably in the World Junior Championships, African Junior Championships, African Championships and also the World Athletics Final coming 1st in all races.

Just before Rudisha managed his astonishing time, the women’s 800 metres was won by Caster Semenya who had previously come under scrutiny and had to take gender tests to prove she really was a woman. In 2009 she managed to win the 800 metres at the World Championships and set the fastest time of the year and all this when she was just 18.

These two athletes look set to dominate future races so be sure to keep a look out for them in years to come.