Sedjati gunning for Rudisha's world record at Olympics / Photo: Valery HACHE - AFP/File
Sedjati gunning for Rudisha's world record at Olympics
Djamel Sedjati has two aims coming into the Paris Olympics: to medal for Algeria after the country drew a blank in Tokyo three years ago and to break David Rudisha's 800m world record.
Algeria's failure to medal at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 was seen as a massive disappointment.
It had come in the wake of Taoufik Makhloufi winning 1500m gold in London in 2012 and double 800-1500m silvers in Rio four years later.
But now the north African country has an athlete in the form of his life and gunning for what remains one of the toughest world records.
Rudisha set the mark of 1min 40.91sec when winning gold in the London Olympics in 2012.
It was a simply stunning run, but for the first time since that heady night in the British capital, there is a feeling Sedjati could be the one to threaten the time.
This year has been a real breakthrough season for the 25-year-old, born in the northern Algerian city of Tiaret.
He broke Makhloufi's national record at the Paris Diamond League meeting this month, clocking an outstanding 1:41.56 to become the third fastest athlete in the history of the race after Rudisha and Denmark's Wilson Kipketer (1:41.11).
- Algeria's Olympic legacy -
Sedjati did not sit on his laurels after Paris, improving his time to 1:41.46, a Diamond League record and new world leading time, just five days later in Monaco.
"I am now thinking of the world record, I hope to run it at the Olympic Games," said the Algerian, who claimed silver at the 2022 Eugene world championships.
"I will focus on that and put in the necessary work so that I can achieve my goal.
"It's the fourth time I've run a world lead and the second time an Algerian record, I have worked really hard for that."
Sedjati, who this year has also set a world lead of 2:13.97 over the 1000m, in Johannesburg, added: "I will keep the preparation the same.
"My mindset is that the hard work I have put in will pay off."
A trip to the Paris Olympics will hold extra meaning for Sedjati, who was forced into quarantine at the Tokyo Games after contracting Covid-19 shortly after his arrival in the Japanese capital.
And as an Algerian at the Olympics, he has a lot to live up to.
The north African country, which made its Olympic debut in 1964, has garnered nine medals in athletics, including four gold.
Those to have topped the podium aside from Makhloufi in 2012 are all middle-distance runners: Nouria Benida Merah (1500m, 2000), Noureddine Morsli (1500m, 1996) and Hassiba Boulmerka (1500m, 1992).
Tellingly, Sedjati is currently coached by Ammar Benida Merah, who also oversaw his wife Nouria's pathway to gold in Sydney.
F.McKenzie--EWJ
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