1988 Seoul Olympic Games 800M Final

1. Paul Ereng KEN 1.43.45 2. Joaquim Cruz BRA 1.43.90 3. Said Aouita MOR 1.44.06 4. Peter Elliott GBR 1.44.12 5. Johnny GRAY USA 1.44.80 6. Jose Luis Barbosa BRA 1.46.39 7. Donato Sabia ITA 1.48.03 8. Nixon Kiprotich KEN 1.49.55 In the Kenyan Olympic trials on 13 August, Ereng just made the Olympic team, finishing third just centimetres in front of Sammy Koskei. Despite his rapid development in the event, Ereng didn't have the form of a potential gold medallist when he arrived at the Olympic Games in Seoul. However, people started to rate his chances more seriously after he won his semi-final in a personal best of 1min 44.55sec. In the final on 26 September, Ereng (see photo above) was fourth as they entered the straight, but he then surged past the three runners in front of him to win the gold medal in another personal best of 1min 43.45sec