Bernard Lagat - Athlete of the Week
INDIANAPOLIS – Bernard Lagat has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after improving his own American Record in the 5,000m at the Herculis Monaco Diamond League meet on July 22.
Lagat finished second to Mo Farah of Great Britain in a time of 12:53.60. Lagat previously held the American Record from his 2010 effort in Oslo, Norway, where he ran 12:54.12.
After the race, Lagat’s biggest fans, his kids, reacted with mixed emotions.
“No, my kids do not understand the American Record. All they know is who wins, or if I got a trophy,” Lagat said. “When I told him after the race, that I got the American Record, Miika asked, ‘But Mo won?’ After I explained that I was the fastest American, then he said ‘good job, daddy’ and gave me a hug.”
Lagat’s next race will be at the Diamond League Aviva Grand Prix in London, August 5-6 before he travels to South Korea for the IAAF World Championships.
“My goal for this year is gold in Daegu,” Lagat said. “So, celebrations [with my family] will have to wait until September.”
Now in its tenth year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on the USATF website. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
Winners: January 5, Bill Tribou; January 12, Tyler Sorensen; January 20, Josh Cox; January 26,Ben Shorey; February 2, Ashton Eaton; February 9, Ashton Eaton; February 16, Bernard Lagat; February 23, Ryan Crouser; March 2, Jillian Camarena-Williams; March 10, Bill Collins; March 16, Miles Batty; March 23, Shalane Flanagan; March 30, John Nunn; April 6, Aries Merritt; April 13, Gunnar Nixon; April 20, Desiree Davila; April 27, Nolan Shaheed; May 4, Emma Coburn; May 11, Willie Gault; May 18, English Gardner; May 25, Kibwé Johnson; June 1, Khadevis Robinson; June 8, Carmelita Jeter; June 15, Lukas Verzbicas; June 22, Aisling Cuffe; June 29, Trevor Barron; July 6, Aldrich Bailey; July 13, Jillian Camarena-Williams; July 20, Johnnye Valien; July 27, Bernard Lagat
