Olympics-Athletics-Teenager Mu ends long American wait for 800m gold

By Omar Mohammed

TOKYO (Reuters) – American Athing Mu won the gold medal in the Olympic women's 800 meters final on Tuesday, her country's first victory in the event in more than half a century, while her compatriot Raevyn Rogers won bronze.

The absence of two-time South African champion Caster Semenya, deemed ineligible due to high testosterone levels, opened the field for a new winner and Mu, 19, took full advantage.

She dominated the race, leading almost from the start and crossing the finish line ahead of her rivals in 1:55.21, to secure the United States' second gold medal in the event following Madeline Manning's triumph in 1968.

Keely Hodgkinson of England won silver.

Mu, whose parents moved to the United States from Sudan two decades ago, said it was “awesome” that she won gold at such a young age.

“I wasn't really putting gold on it, but as the final got closer today, I was like, 'Yeah, we want gold,'” the 19-year-old said.

Mu said moving quickly was part of his strategy.

“I wanted to leave early and not let anyone ruin my race plan. I just wanted to do my own thing,” she said.

Mu's time was an American national record.

“I knew it was pretty tight, but to do it again is amazing,” she said.

In addition to the bronze medal for Rogers, who ran a personal best of 1:56.81, the duo became the first American medalists in the event since 1988.

Britain's Hodgkinson produced a brilliant second half of the race to take silver and after the race she was excited about both teenagers winning medals on the biggest stage.

“There's not just one 19-year-old in the race, there are two… which is incredible. Hopefully it comes from good competition in 10 to 15 years and more time rapids on the horizon,” she said.

The 19-year-old broke 2004 Olympic champion Kelly Holmes' British national record with a time of 1:55.88.

“Kelly is a great sporting legend and she always will be with this double Olympic gold medal. She has sent us a few messages over the last few days,” she told reporters. “I’m quite in shock about this time.”

Asked how she was going to celebrate, Hodgkinson replied: “You'll find me at the pub. A guilt-free evening before we finish the rest of the season and then off-season in September.”

Rogers, 24, said it was “surreal” to win bronze.

“I think it's settling in. Just being able to bring something home, I'm really proud,” she said.

Rogers dedicated the medal to his mother who celebrates her birthday today.

“It's morning in America, so she's going to have this whole day to celebrate. I'm really, really happy. I just want to make them proud,” she said.

(Reporting by Omar Mohammed, editing by Ed Osmond)