Bernard Lagat may be the most decorated track and field Olympian in Washington state. But he’s still looking for his first Olympic medal as an American.
At age 41, the Washington State Cougar has won numerous national championships, has quite the resume, and is still competing against men half his age.
“I train with young guys, and I don't believe I'm old. If you believe you're old, I'm going to run like an old man,” said Lagat after winning the 5,000 meters at the Olympic Trials.
WSU's Bernard Lagat, 41, back for fifth Olympics
Lagat, a native Kenyan, moved to Pullman, Wash., in the 90s and became a four-time PAC-10 champion. That’s where he met his wife and graduated with two degrees. He never forgot those roots.
“I'm trying to give it back to America what they gave me long before. And Pullman was great. Was too cold for me, though,” Lagat said in 2008.
He won bronze for Kenya in the 1,500 meters at the 2000 Games in Sydney then won bronze in the same event at the 2004 Athens Games.
A year later, Lagat became an American citizen. He’s now a nine-time national champion in the 5,000 meters but is still looking for that elusive Olympic medal while wearing “USA” on his chest.
At the Olympic Trials, Lagat was in the middle of the pack through the entire final -- until the last lap. He then blew by the rest of the field in the final 200 meters to win.
“I would put him down in my all-time top five as far as tactical racers,” said Seattle track and field writer, and UW announcer, Paul Merca. “He knows when to race and he knows when to race when it counts.”
Lagat and Puyallup's Hassan Mead will run in the 5000 meter preliminaries early Wednesday morning.
