Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi is eying even faster times at the Lausanne Diamond League tonight (Wednesday), returning to the field where he clocked the second fastest time in the world in 2024.
It was in last year’s Lausanne meeting that the 21-year-old stormed to a swift 1:41.11, the joint second-fastest time ever alongside Denmark’s Wilson Kipketer in the 800m. Only the great David Rudisha, with his world record of 1:40.91 from the London 2012 Olympics, has ever gone quicker.
In last year's race, he led Arop (1:41.72) and France’s Gabriel Tual (1:42.30). Speaking during the pre-race press conference on Tuesday, Wanyonyi noted that he had already planned to return to Lausanne after last year's exploits. "Last year I came to run in Lausanne after Paris and I was able to run my best of 1:41.11."
"After I crossed the finish line, I felt so happy with the time, and I decided I would come back to the lovely city of Lausanne to run again," Wanyonyi said. But while many fans are already whispering about Rudisha’s fabled record, the Kenyan prodigy insists his approach is measured.
"Rudisha ran sub 1:42 almost eight times. I have run just five times, so I still have some more races before I can challenge for the World record."
"My focus will be lowering my personal best in each race I step into," he added. So far in 2025, Wanyonyi has been nothing short of electric in the Diamond League circuit.
He opened his campaign in Rabat on May 25, where he clocked 1:43.37 to place third behind Botswana's Tshepiso Masalela (1:42.70) and Britain's Max Burgin (1:43.34). Wanyonyi clinched his first victory in Oslo, clocking 1:42.78 ahead of Spain's Mohamed Attaoui (1:42.90) and Algeria's Djamel Sedjati (1:43.06).
He followed it up with another dominant display in Stockholm, clocking 1:41.95 before recording a world-leading 1:41.44 in Monaco, the only man to have dipped under 1:42 this season.
His latest race was in London on July 19, where he clocked 1:42.00, outkicking World Champion Marco Arop (1:42.22) and Britain's Max Burgin (1:42.36). Yet, for all his dominance, Wanyonyi is under no illusions about the demands of the two-lap race.
"Sometimes you may have plans to run a certain way, but then the body may disappoint you in competitions," he stated. He highlighted the tactical demands of the two-lap race. "The 800m is getting very competitive. Training each day is also very tough on the body. It is a tactical race, and you have to be patient in your game plan to win."
Wanyonyi is already thinking beyond the two laps, revealing an ambition to step up to the 1,500m come the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "I think in my next Olympic appearance I will be running the 1,500m because the 800m has become so competitive," he said.
In Lausanne tonight, the Kenyan will again lock horns with Arop, Burgin and Spain’s Mohamed Attaoui, while Masalela, Americans Josh Hoey and Bryce Hoppel also add spice to a formidable field.
