David Rudisha's world record in the 800m put him on the world map but it also signaled a new dawn for Kenya in the 800m. The 2 lap race has offered Kenya mixed results in the past with the titles few and far between. A brilliant 2007 worlds and 2008 olylmpic campaign saw Kenya begin its ascension to the top of the 800m but Kenya then faded badly in 2009 world championships. Now with Rudisha's success Kenya has become the number one country over the distance.