London race inspired Lagat to go for world double

By Gene Cherry

OSAKA, Japan (Reuters) - Kenyan-born American Bernard Lagat may never have become the world 1,500 meters champion had it not been for a confidence-boosting race in London this month.

"It was going to be only the 5,000 meters," in Osaka, Lagat told a news conference.

But after winning a 1,500 meters race at Crystal Palace on August 3, Lagat was convinced he could do well in both races at Osaka.

"I ran really good and I felt comfortable," he said of the London run. "I made my decision right away ....that I was going for the 1,500."

It was the right call as Lagat demonstrated on Wednesday, surging down the final straight to claim his first world championship gold medal at 1,500 meters.

The race was especially moving for the 32-year-old since it was his first global run in an American uniform and he celebrated with the U.S. flag draped over his shoulders.

Previously he had won silver and bronze Olympic 1,500 meters medals for Kenya before deciding to change his citizenship.

The 2004 decision left him ineligible to compete in the Olympics and world championships for three years.

Now he could become a double champion

His chances of winning Sunday's 5,000 meters are good, he believes, whether the pace is fast or slow.

"I have done the first one and that was the hardest because that is my event," he said.

"Normally, I treat the 5,000 as my other event," Lagat added. "It is not my number one event, but it is an event in which I always do well.

"All I have to do is be able to run smart, relaxed, don't get tripped or anything, and I believe I can win it if it comes down to be a fast one or slow one."

Whether he will try the double in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics in an attempt to duplicate Moroccan Hicham El Guerrouj 2004 success will depend on how he feels after Sunday's race.

"If it goes well on Sunday, then I know it is possible to repeat again," he said. "If I can do that, I will be really pleased."