Hardest work yet to come for Rudisha – coach

Kenya’s world 800m record holder David Rudisha will only consider himself one of the greatest athletes of all time when he wins the world and Olympics titles over the next two years, his coach said.

The 21-year-old Rudisha, who broke the long-standing 800 metres world record twice this season, became the first Kenyan athlete to be named the IAAF male athlete of the year in Monaco on Sunday.

But as another elaborate home-coming celebration beckoned for the rising star, for the second time, on his return from Monaco yesterday, his Irish coach Colm O’Connell warned Rudisha that he must keep his feet on the ground ahead of the busy and hectic season ahead.

“Rudisha should realise there is much work to be done and what he has achieved this year is a phase in his career,” O’Connell said.

“The next two years are very important since we have the World Championships and the Olympics coming up.

“He can only consider himself a great if he adds his name to these categories,” added the 60-year-old Cork-born Patrician brother, who trains Rudisha in Iten, in Western Kenya.

Rudisha first broke the world record in Berlin on August 22 with a time of 1 minute 41.09 seconds before bettering that mark with 1:41.01 in Rieti a week later.

He was also crowned African champion in July in Nairobi and was unbeaten in his 16 races during the outdoor campaign.

O’Connell believes Rudisha can break the world record again over the next few years.