| The final began slowly with a first kilometre in 2:51.81, then Jager speeded things up from the fourth lap, passing 2000m in 5:35.46. Only Kipruto, El Bakkali and four time champion Kemboi stayed in contact. Kemboi was dropped in the next lap covered by Jager in 63 seconds, and the American led at the bell in 7:11.50. Kipruto moved ahead with 250m to go and led El Bakkali by 2m at the final barrier. The Kenyan went on to win by 3m. Jager held off Mekhissi for the bronze. The Frenchman made up almost 30m in the last 450m. The biomechanics team working in London noted that Kipruto was the only one of the leading male contenders who hurdled the water jump barrier, saving himself considerable time on each circuit. Even though he landed in the deepest water, he did not spend much more time in it as some of his rivals who had needed to step on the barrier. |
