Former Multiple World Record Holder Henry Rono Dies
The sports community is once again grieving with the passing of ex-athlete Henry Rono, who passed away at the age of 72.
In a statement distributed to media outlets, Athletics Kenya revealed that the iconic athlete passed away after a brief illness at a hospital in Nairobi on Thursday.
Rono proudly competed for Kenya in the 1978 Commonwealth Games held in Edmonton, Canada. During the event, he secured gold medals in both the men’s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m categories. In that remarkable year, he also achieved gold in the 3000m steeplechase and 10,000m events at the All Africa Games held in Algiers, Algeria.
He achieved a historic milestone by setting new world records in the 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, and 10,000m events.
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Unfortunately, Rono did not have the opportunity to participate in the Olympic Games since Kenya decided to abstain from both the 1976 Games in Montreal, Canada, and the 1980 Games in Moscow, Russia.
Originally from Kiptaragon Village in Nandi County, Rono moved to the United States in 1986 and lived there for 33 years before coming back to his hometown in 2019.
His passing occurs during a period when both the nation and the global community are still grieving the loss of Kelvin Kiptum, the marathon world record holder, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana, who tragically lost their lives in a road accident last Sunday.
Former Multiple World Record Holder Henry Rono Dies