Ferguson Rotich Qualifies For 800m Final As Nijel Amos Fails To Cruise

Kenya’s Ferguson Rotich ran the fastest time to win Olympic 800m semi-final in 1.44.04seconds; as Nijel Amos from Botswana missed out on a place in the final.

He finished sixth in the semi-final after accidentally clipped another athlete in the final 200m of the third heat that was won by Rotich.

It was a heartbreaking outcome for the athlete who won silver in the 2012 Summer Olympics Games in London.

Nijel showed bravery and tenacity as he rose up and pulled up the American runner and both limped to the finishing line with injuries.

For Rotich, he had comfortably sat behind the pack but at the bell in the two-lap competition, he began to show intent to join his countryman Emmanuel Korir, who had booked a place in the final from Semi-final 1.

It’s at the 200m bed that Rotich splint made Nijel to react forcing the Botswana’s great to triple after being blocked by USA’s Jewett Isaiah.

Rotich’s finishing time was the fastest qualifying time across all the semi-final and also the fourth fastest ever 800m run outside a final at the Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Korir  cruised to the 800m final after clocking 1:44.74  in Semifinal 1 while race winner Dobek timed 1:44.60.

Kenya’s other representative Michael Saruni failed to make to the final after finished a disappointing sixthin Semifinal 2 that was won by Australian Peter Bol.

Photos Credit: Reuters