Bahrain's Kamel, born in Kenya as Gregory Konchellah, followed in the footsteps of his father Billy Konchellah, who won the 800 m at the 1987 and 1991 World Championships. Mekonnen's silver was Ethiopia's first ever World Championship medal in the 1500 m. Lagat's bronze was his third in the 1500 m, after his silver in 2001 and a gold in 2007.