Peter Bol ran a wonderfully courageous race, setting the pace in the men’s 800m final before slipping to fourth – a performance that has won him many fans.
Among them was the gold medallist, Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir. Bol took the lead when the pace was slack, as his coach had instructed, but couldn’t quite hold on as Korir, fellow Kenyan Ferguson Rotich and Poland’s Patryk Dobek surged to the medals.
Bol was the runner who had the guts to dictate terms on the biggest stage, even if he didn’t ultimately prevail.
“I didn’t have any strategy,” said Korir. “I just thought I would try and follow and see what would happen.
“There was nobody who wanted to take the pace, so I just said I was going to control it. The Australian guy, he did something good for me.”
While Bol missed an Olympic medal, he had already made history by being in the final; Australia’s first contender in the race for 53 years. The 27-year-old did himself great credit and was lavished with praise.
“Peter Bol, Take a bow. Bold race, forced into the pace setter. Held on so bloody long!! Brilliant 4th place,” Paralympics athletics icon Kurt Fearnley wrote on Twitter.
Australian canoe gold medallist Jess Fox wrote: “Is Peter Bol a legend or what!!! Omg what a race, had me screaming. So close!!! Gutsy effort.”
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster wrote: “Seeing you run your heart out in green and gold gives great hope for the Australia we know we can be.”
Bol lamented his run in the final straight. There was a clear moment where he buckled, realising that the medals were gone, yet dug deep to hang on the fourth.
“I put myself in with every chance. The only thing I regret is the last 100m tightening up a little bit,” Bol said post-race.
“Other than that, I came here to win. That’s what I did, I tried to win. We came short, but there is more to come.
“I’d be lying if I said I’m pretty happy right now. The goal was to win, still have to reflect on that. At the same time, I think today, I didn’t know if I was going to win, but I knew one thing for certain that the whole of Australia was watching. That carried me on. I loved that part.
“I’m grateful to Australia, I’m thankful to everyone in Australia. We’re human at the end of the day. We inspired the whole nation. That’s the goal.”
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