Henry Rono, the well-known long-distance runner from Kenya who became famous for breaking four world records in 81 days, passed away yesterday at the age of 72.
Athletics officials announced the passing of Rono on Thursday.
In 1978, Rono broke four world marks in the 3,000-, 5,000-, and 3,000-meter steeplechase events when he was a student at Washington State University in the United States.
He “was one of the best long distance athletes Kenya has ever produced,” two-time Olympic gold medallist and Kenya’s former Olympic committee chief Kipchoge Keino told AFP.
“It’s unfortunate he didn’t compete in the 1980 Olympic games, he would easily have come home with at least two gold medals.”
Athletics Kenya says Rono had been hospitalised for the past 10 days.
Rono, who at one time lived in a car park in the U.S., returned to Kenya in 2019 after three decades, according to media reports.
