Lagat Gets Win In First Run As U.S. Athlete
Posted Monday, 29 January, 2007
GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) -- Bernard Lagat led from start to finish and won the 1,500 meters at the Norwich Union indoor meet Saturday for his first win as a U.S. athlete, then took a victory lap carrying an American flag.
Lagat, who won in 3 minutes, 45.55 seconds to beat former Kenyan teammate Laban Rotich by slightly more than a second, switched to U.S. citizenship after winning silver in the 1,500 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Under international rules, he couldn't compete at any subsequent major championships until now.
"It's my first time holding the American flag, so it's very special," said the 32-year-old Lagat. "This is the beginning of many times that I will be able to carry the flag high for the United States."
Lagat will go for his fifth win in the famed Wanamaker Mile at New York's Millrose Games on Friday, and then will seek gold at this year's world championships in Osaka, Japan. He missed the 2005 worlds because of the change in citizenship.
Lagat attended Washington State in the late 1990s, so he already is used to having American fans cheering for him.
"I didn't have Kenyans over there, but I had Americans cheering for Washington State," he said. "But this is different because I am carrying the flag. I'm very proud to be part of the American milers."
Other winners for the United States on Saturday were Aarik Wilson in the long jump, Milton Campbell in the 200 and Richard Smith in the 800. Australia's Paul Burgess won the pole vault and Olympic triple jump champion Christian Olsson of Sweden set a stadium record with winning leap of 56 feet, 5 inches.
In women's events, world champion Kajsa Bergqvist of Sweden won the high jump and compatriot Susanna Kallur swept the sprints, winning the 60 meters and the 60-meter hurdles.
The meet was a warmup for the European indoor championships, taking place in Birmingham, England, on March 2-4.
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