US Pins Gold Medal Hopes on Kenya-Born Runner | Voice of America - English
Experts at the Olympic Games in Beijing say for the first time in more than a century, the United States has a chance to win gold medals in the middle-distance running events of 1,500 and 5,000 meters.  These hopes rest in large part on Bernard Lagat who was born in Kenya, but now runs for the U.S.
Middle-distancerunner Bernard Lagat says he hopes to win a gold medal in Beijing inorder to fulfill a promise he made to his mother four years ago when hewon a silver medal at the Athens games. "In 2004, I told herthat I just came in second," he said. "She told me your time will comeand that is going to be in the next Olympics and you will win gold. And I promised her that I am going to work extra hard to get it." Lagatwon the silver medal in Athens and a bronze medal in the 2000 SydneyGames while running for Kenya. But he switched to the U.S. team afterbecoming a U.S. citizen three years ago. He won the 1,500 meterevent at the World Championships in Osaka last year. And he said hefelt the same pride hearing the U.S. national anthem played for hisvictory as he did hearing the Kenyan national anthem before. Lagat says he understands that some Kenyans might be upset about his move to the U.S. team, but he has no regrets. "Myloyalty is for the country that I am representing right now and that isthe United States," he said. "And I am feeling really happy that I ampart of the American culture. I am proud of the American revolution intrack and field at the moment which is really going so well." Lagat, 33,was born in a village near Kapsabet, in Kenya'snorthwestern Nandi District. As a boy he tended cattle for his familyof 10. He says his sister, Kenya national running champion MaryChepkemboi, inspired him to run and even bought him his first pair ofshoes when he was 12 years old. He went to local schools until 1996 when he won a scholarship to attend college in the northwestern U.S. state of Washington. Aftergraduation in 2001, Lagat began to run competitively and won more thantwo dozen races at the grand-prix level. He says he decided to obtainU.S. citizenship after getting married and settling down in America. But Lagat has not forgotten his roots. Every year, his foundation pays school fees for less fortunate Kenyan children. "Itis a way of giving back to my community back home," Lagat said. "At thesame time, running and becoming successful in America also inspires theyoung American kids to take up athletics and be as good as BernardLagat." Lagat downplays all the hard work needed to be a winner in track and field. He says only that he has been fortunate. "Myjourney has been really successful," said Lagat. "One, I have had mydegrees. At same time I have been able to run two Olympics. And I livein America. I have my family. I am so happy. So it is a dream that alittle boy from Kenya dreamed about and finally it came through." ButLagat says life is not all about winning, and if he loses in Beijing hewill congratulate the winner. Nevertheless, he says he plans to keepon running competitively for several more years.