Lagat breaks 99-year US drought with 1,500m gold

OSAKA, Japan, Aug 29 (Reuters) Bernard Lagat became the first American man to win a global 1,500 metres title for 99 years when he swept to victory down the home straight at the world championships today.

The Kenyan-born 32-year-old only qualified to run for his adopted country last year but his three minutes 34.77 seconds was enough to a break an American drought stretching back to the 1908 Olympics.

Defending champion Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain, who became the first man to do the world 800m and 1500m double in Helsinki two years ago, came through to claim silver in 3.35.00.

Kenyan Shadrack Korir claimed bronze in 3.35.04 ahead of his compatriot Asbel Kiprop, who had led for much of the latter half of the race.

REUTERS TB RAI2006