Rudisha resurfaces after long absence, drops hint of early retirement
By THOMAS MATIKODouble Olympic 800m champion and world record holder David Rudisha may have just dropped the most telling hint of an early retirement from athletics.
Rudisha, who has been missing in action for a while now, in the same breath promised to return to the track next year.
Speaking recently during the 70th birthday of his coach and mentor Brother Colm O’Connell, Rudisha also revealed his short-term plans.
“People have been asking me on social media where I am but I will return next year,” Rudisha disclosed before hinting his retirement plans.
WON EVERYTHING
“I have achieved everything. I have won every title, I won the World Championships, I won the Olympics, I broke the world record. So really, I think I have achieved much and anything else is just a bonus,” said the 29-year-old.
The police officer, who last competed more than a year ago at retired Jamaican sprinter and track legend Uasin Bolt’s farewell race, missed the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London with a quad muscle strain.
He had planned to return to the track during this year’s first leg of the Diamond League season in Shanghai, China in May, but pulled out due to an injury which was said to be a small back problem that had been bothering him since 2016.
Since then, he has kept a low profile both on and off the track, until his latest statement.