Paris 2024 Olympics: How Emmanuel Wanyonyi plans to silence serial threat Djamel Sedjati in men's 800m final

Emmanuel Wanyonyi takes on a very formidable field in the men’s 800m final with all eyes on him to retain the Olympic gold medal.

Kenya has been successful in the previous Olympic Games, maintaining the winning streak from Wilfred Bungei to David Rudisha to Emmanuel Korir and now fans have hope that Wanyonyi will take the baton from Korir.

Bungei claimed the win in the men’s 800m at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games before Rudisha claimed the titles at the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Korir successfully retained the title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Wanyonyi will be up against Djamel Sedjati, the Algerian athlete who owns the fastest time in the world this year, thanks to his explosive run at the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco. Wanyonyi has also been impressive and he owns the second-fastest time in the world this year.

The world 800m silver medallist is aware of the tough competition Sedjati brings to the table but has promised to tackle the Algerian the best way he knows how to. Wanyonyi promised that when needed, he will change tactics to emerge victorious in the tight race.

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“I know he is strong but we shall just tackle him…I will be flexible and I change my strategy whenever needed. I have prepared my body and I promise that I shall run well. The semifinal was good and I hope to get a medal,” Wanyonyi said.

“I thank God to have qualified for the final and I feel like my body is doing well. As an athlete, you can’t risk to run with people in the semis and risk falling or being blocked by others,” he added.

Others who made the final include reigning world champion Marco Arop and Gabriel Tual. Frenchman Tual is the third fastest in the world this year and he will be out to impress in front of the home crowd. Arop will be looking to add the Olympic gold medal to his World Championships medal.