Bernard Lagat, 41, is set to be the oldest U.S. runner ever to compete at the Olympics after he qualified for Rio by winning the 5000m final at the U.S. Track and Field Trials on Saturday.
Lagat made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games where he won bronze in the men’s 1500m for Kenya. He returned to win silver at the 2004 Games. He made his Olympic debut as a U.S. citizen at the 2008 Games where he competed in both the 1500m and 5000m events. He finished fourth in men’s 5000m in London.
The title of oldest U.S. Olympic runner was previously held by three-time Olympian Meb Keflezighi. Both 41 years old, Lagat is seven months older.
Keflezighi qualified for the Rio Olympic Games with a second place 2:12:21 finish at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials on Feb. 13.
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