It might not be the quickest half mile in a few years but it will sure be interesting. A resurgent Nijel Amos, a mercurial Clayton Murphy and a whole host of British prospects. Here’s our men’s 800m preview.
Schedule
Saturday 31 July, 01:50 UK Time (Heats) Sunday 1 August 12.25pm UK Time (Semifinals) Wednesday 4 August 13.05pm UK Time (Final)
2021 Top Lists
| 2021 Ranking | Time | Athlete | Country |
| 1 | 1.42.91 | Nijel Amos | Botswana |
| 2 | 1.43.04 | Emmanuel Korir | Kenya |
| 3 | 1.43.17 | Clayton Murphy | USA |
| 4 | 1.43.26 | Macro Arop | Canada |
| 5 | 1.43.44 | Jesus Lopez | Mexico |
| 6 | 1.43.57 | Ferguson Rotich | Kenya |
| 7 | 1.43.73 | Patryk Dobek | Poland |
| 8 | 1.43.76 | Cornelius Tuwei | Kenya |
| 9 | 1.43.82 | Oliver Dustin | GB & NI |
| 10 | 1.43.84 | Elias Ngeny | Kenya |
British interest
There’s plenty. Elliot Giles is the British Champ and has been consistent over 2021. His World indoor lead 1.43.63 was mightily impressive and he will need to approach those times to stand a chance of a medal. Oliver Dustin is Britain’s sole member of 2021’s outdoor world top ten but it remains to be seen how much recent controversy has taken out of him (he was cleared recently for a positive drugs test for cocaine). Daniel Rowden may be the third of the Brits but he was one of the world’s best last year and will hope to be rounding into form just at the right time. All have realistic final prospects.
The favourites
Nijel Amos seems to be back and will hope to finally fulfil the promise made clear by his London 2012 silver. Emmanuel Korir of Kenya continues to impress but will hope to put three rounds together on the global stage for the first time. Clayton Murphy was hugely impressive in Portland to win the US trials and has a knack of peaking for the big occassion despite looking pretty ordinary in his recent European outings. A curveball could be Mexico’s Jesus Tonatiu Lopez, who has dispatched with some good fields across the US, his recent 1.43.44 being an almost full second personal best.
Marco Arop can’t be dismissed and is a delightful runner to watch and Patryk Dobek could figure in a tactical race.
Our medal predictions
- Nijel Amos
- Clayton Murphy
- Emmanuel Korir
Records
WR: 1.40.91 David Rudisha (2012)
OR: 1.40.91 David Rudisha (2012)
Featured image “David Rudisha” by Bob Ramsak is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
