Rupp Working On His Finishing Speed

He will need to run at least a 52-second closing lap in the 5000m.

Galen Rupp tore up the track at the U.S. Olympic Trials last month in Eugene, Oregon. The former University of Oregon standout prevailed in both he 5000m and 10,000m events.

At the upcoming Olympics in London, Rupp thinks a medal will come down to being able to close in the final lap.

“I’m hoping to be there with a lap to go,” he said. “We’ve been working on my finishing speed a lot, so we’ll see what happens. You’ve just got to be ready to sprint and try to save as much energy as you can during the race so you can use it in the last little bit.”

Most of the top medal prospects come from African countries and are used to racing in the heat. With it’s rainy weather, London may be just what Rupp needs to race well. After all, he lives and trains in Portland, Oregon.

“I’d definitely welcome that if that was the case,” Rupp said of the expected damp conditions in London.

For More: USA Today