NAIROBI, Kenya, July 27- What started as a fantasy race in the minds of track fanatics could become a spellbinding reality at London 2012 Olympics.
The prospect of world record holders David Rudisha going down the distance to face Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprint phenomenon moved a step closer to becoming reality when the latter announced he would consider competing in the 4X400m Relay.
Rudisha, who holds the world record in the men 800m, is already in the Kenyan squad for the lap-relay alongside Vincent Mumo, Alphas Kishoiyan, Vincent Koskei, Mark Mutai and Boniface Mweresa.
“I always see how I come out of the 200m before I decide, like if I’m tired etc. If I feel up to it, why not? For my country I would always do what is necessary. It all depends what is needed from me because at the end of the day it is about the team,” double World sprint champion Bolt told AFP on Friday on his chances on competing in the men 4X400m relay Heats that start on August 9 after the men 200m programme ends.
Rudisha, who hopes to have clinched the gold on his Olympics debut the day earlier expressed his readiness to face up to the Jamaican who will be defending titles in the 100m, 200m and 4X100m relay.
“People are expecting a lot because we hear in the news that Bolt might want to participate in 4X400m relay. This is a good challenge; it is very rare to find two world record holders from different events competing at the same competition.
“It’s good for us and for the fans. My event 800m comes first and I’m happy the 4X400m will come after my event. This year I have tested a few 400m and I’m in good shape,” the world titleholder told Capital Sport when the reports of Bolt sizing up the longer relay in his bid for an unprecedented four gold medals on the track surfaced in June.
His father, Daniel Rudisha was the anchor for the Kenyan team for the 1968 Olympics Games where the quartet that included Hezekiah Nyamau, Charles Asati and Julius Sang won silver.
Below is the video Capital TV shot of Rudisha on the enticing clash that would certainly headline track and field action.