Lagat’s win first gold since 2007

DOHA, Qatar – Bernard Lagat of the United States won the 3,000 meters Sunday at the world indoor championships, his first global gold in three years.

Lagat, 35, knows that a comeback is always around the corner. The Washington State product seemed on the way out after a poor showing at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, but bounced back Sunday to claim his first global gold since his world outdoor 1,500-5,000 double in 2007.

Lagat hung back in the pack, then made his move with a devastating kick some 250 yards from the line.

“That last lap was like: I’m taking it home, baby,” he said.

The gold gave him enough of a kick to continue until the 2012 Olympics in London.

“You’ll be seeing more of me for a long time,” he said. “I can see myself running longer than even I imagine.”

Lagat finished in his season’s best of 7 minutes, 37.97 seconds, for a big 1.58-second gap over Sergio Sanchez of Spain.

France’s Teddy Tamgho leaped 58 feet, 8 3/4 inches to set a world record in the triple jump. Christian Olsson of Sweden and Aliecer Urrutia of Cuba shared the previous mark of 58-6.