TheFinalSprint.com - Track & Field, Marathons, Racing News, Training Advice, Elite Athlete Blogs, Interviews, Podcasts, Videos and More! - TheFinalSprint.com is the Premier Destination for Track & Field, Marathon, Cross Country, Olympic and Road Racing Enthusiasts.

TFS to Expand Writing Staff and Internship Program

Whether you are a seasoned veteran, an aspiring journalist, or even just a knowledgeable fan looking for a profitable hobby, we want to hear from you! Click here to apply today!

Lagat celebrates first win as an American athlete

Posted January 28th, 2007 at 5:47 PM by Lisa Cieplechowicz

Section: News & Results, Track & Field

Bernard Lagat, in his first competition as an American athlete, won the 1,500 meter race (00:03:45.55) at the Norwich Union indoor competition on Saturday.

Born in Kenya, Lagat became a naturalized citizen of the United States after winning the silver in the 1,500 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics. However, under international rules he could not compete in major championships until Saturday’s meet.

Lagat led from start to finish and managed to edge out former Kenyan teammate Laban Rotch for the win by just over a second. After completing a victory lap with the American flag in his hands, he commented:

“It’s my first time holding the American flag, so it’s very special. This is the beginning of many times that I will be able to carry the flag high for the United States.'’

This Friday Lagat will make a play for his fifth win in the Wanamaker Mile at New York’s Millrose Games before going on to compete in this year’s IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan.

Other notable performances in Saturday’s meet included Aarik Wilson’s (U.S.A.) win for the long jump at 7.81 meters, and fellow American Milton Campbell’s victory in the 200 meters (00:00:21.05) from the outside lane. Australia’s Paul Burgess won the pole vault at 5.75 meters and Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson scored a stadium record with his 17.20-meter leap.

On the women’s side, world champion Kajsa Bergqvist won the high jump with 1.95 meters after three failed attempts at 1.98 -10 centimeters below the world indoor record she set in February. Fellow Sweden athlete Susanna Kallur dominated the sprints, taking both the 60 meters and 60 meters hurdles, while Britain’s Lisa Dobriskey won the 1,500 (00:04:17.01).

The meet was a warmup for March’s European indoor championships in Birmingham, England.

For the complete list of results from Saturday’s meet, visit: International Herald Tribune

Source for more information: MSNBC