The Kenyan athlete Henry Ronoknown for breaking four world records – in the 10,000 meters, in the 5,000 meters, and in the 3,000 meters steeplechase on two occasions – in just over 80 days in 1978, died this Thursday in his native country at the age of 72.
“We wish to send our sincere condolences to his family, friends and the entire athletics fraternity during this very difficult time,” Kenya's athletics federation, Athletics Kenya, said in a statement.
According to the organization, the runner died at 10:30 local time in the hospital. Nairobi South, where he was hospitalized for the last ten days.
Rono was born in a small town in central Kenya in 1952, he was retired and turned 72 last Monday.
Henry Rono passed away this morning in Nairobi South Hospital. Henry Rono set numerous world records during an 81-day period in 1978 (3000 m, 3000 m steeplechase, 5000 m and 10000 m). D.E.P pic.twitter.com/23Glht1Kil
— AthleticsTracks (@AthleticsTracks) February 15, 2024
Remembered as one of the best runners in the country, he held the 3,000-meter steeplechase record (7:32.1) for eleven years.
However, it never competed in an Olympic Games because Kenya, like other African countries, boycotted the competitions held between 1976 and 1980 to oppose various world events, from the apartheid regime in South Africa to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan. .
Rono's death came as Kenya still mourns the loss of world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum., in a traffic accident last Sunday. Kiptum rose to world fame on October 8, when he set a time of 2h00:35 and clearly lowered the previous record held by his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge with 2h01:09, achieved in Berlin on September 25, 2022.
EFE
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