Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has called on athletes who will compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics to reclaim Kenya’s steeplechase titles in honor of former multiple record breaker Henry Rono.Speaking during the burial ceremony of the late Rono, the CS told the athletes that the only way to honor the fallen legend was to reclaim the titles.During his glorious running career, Rono made history in the 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, and 10,000m with his records in the 3000m and 3000m steeplechase stood for more than a decade.Apart from Rono, individuals like Amos Biwott, Kipchoge Keino, Matthew Birir, Joseph Keter, and Wilson Kipketer brought the country so much joy by dominating past steeplechase events. The country would then relinquish its 3000m steeplechase world title at the World Championships (July 2022) in Oregon after Olympic champion Soufine El Bakkali dethroned Conseslus Kipruto in the men’s title, while Celliphine Chespol faded to 13th place. The standards of the county’s once stronghold are now worrying, even as the Paris 2024 Olympics fast approaches. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7910320##Rono missed two consecutive Olympics in 1976 and 1980, but he still managed to shine in the events he competed in. The CS gave an example of the late Kelvin Kiptum whose star shone brightly but also did not represent the country on the grand Olympic stage.The CS called on the athletes to utilize their advantage in the Paris Olympics to fly the country’s flag high. Rotterdam Marathon pumps Ksh 9 million donation to Kelvin Kiptum Foundation“Rono at his prime missed two consecutive Olympics where he would have won gold medals. Also, Kiptum (Kelvin) whom we buried last week was preparing to participate in his first Olympics but we lost him before fulfilling that dream. So, for our colleagues who are going to Paris, we urge them to win many medals as a proper tribute for these two athletes who did not get the chance to grace the Olympics,” the CS told the athletes.The late Rono became a global name when he broke four world records in a space of 81 days, a feat yet to be replicated to date.He represented Kenya at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton, Canada where he bagged gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and 5000m. The same year he also bagged gold in the 3000m steeplechase and 10,000m at the All-Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria. Eliud Kipchoge returns to Tokyo keen to extend dominanceHe also made history by breaking four world records over 3000m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, and 10,000m.He was Kiptaragon Village in Nandi County, Rono would later relocate to the US in 1986 where he spent 33 years before returning home in 2019.Rono died on Thursday 15 February while undergoing treatment at a Nairobi hospital where he had been admitted for 10 days, and has left behind his wife, three children, and seven grandchildren.
