Announced as the ambassador for WIC Glasgow 24

Middle distance legend David Rudisha has been named the World Athletics ambassador for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 24, which will be held from March 1-3, World Athletics reports.

The Kenyan great is a double Olympic gold medallist and two-time world champion over 800m. He is familiar with Glasgow as he competed there in 2014 for the Commonwealth Games, where he earned silver.

“I look forward to returning to Glasgow for this major competition on our calendar. I am excited,” he said.

“Sport has made me who I am today, and anything related to sport makes me feel thrilled. I am looking forward to meeting the fans and promoting the sport.”

Rudisha has other fond memories of competing on UK soil; the most iconic performance of his career – his world record-breaking performance of 1:40.91 – came when winning Olympic gold in London in 2012.

Now aged 35, Rudisha is delighted to take up an ambassador role for the first global championships in 2024.

“I feel honored,” said Rudisha, who competed at six global championships, winning gold at five. “As an athlete, anything I can do to inspire younger athletes to win medals on the world stage makes me feel special.

“The 2014 Commonwealth Games was exceptional; I have beautiful memories of my experience in Glasgow. The people were very kind and supportive. I got silver in that race, but it was clear that the crowd supported and cheered for every athlete, regardless of the position they finished.”

As a double Olympic champion in the No.1 Olympic sport, Rudisha knows just how important it is for athletes to get off to a strong start this year ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.

“The Olympics is at the helm of any sport,” he said. “To participate in the Olympics means a lot. It’s not always easy, so I wish athletes the best as they work hard for this season, try to make their name, and write their history in this sport.”

While he is looking forward to witnessing all the action in Glasgow, understandably, Rudisha’s eye will be drawn to one event in particular.

“The 800m, of course, is my favorite,” he said. “I’m also looking forward to seeing the 400m, with the times they are posting already.

“Femke Bol, running 49 seconds in the early season indoors is amazing. We look forward to watching these athletes do their best on the world indoor stage.”

From March 1-3, the World Indoor Championships will feature more than 700 athletes from about 130 nations as they compete for medals across 26 disciplines.