Schumann surprises Kipketer in men's 800m

Nils Schumann of Germany upstaged three-times world champion Wilson Kipketer to win the men's Olympic 800 metres gold on Wednesday.

Schumann, the 1998 indoor and outdoor European champion, timed one minute 45.08 seconds to beat Kipketer, the favourite, and Aissa Djabir Said-Guerni of Algeria.

Kipketer, born in Kenya but who switched allegiance to Denmark, had been the huge favourite but got boxed in on the back straight of the second lap.

He moved wide to try and find a way past but the 22-year-old Schumann held him off in the final metres.

Kipketer was the sentimental choice after missing the 1996 Olympics when Kenya refused to allow him to run as a Dane.

Olympic champion Vebjorn Rodal of Norway failed to qualify for the final.

Mail your comments