Kipchoge Keino

Biography

Kipchoge Hezekiah Keino, born on January 17, 1940, in Kipsamo, Nandi District, is widely regarded as the father of Kenyan distance running. His victory in the 1,500 meters at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, achieved despite suffering from a gallbladder infection and running at extreme altitude, is considered one of the greatest performances in Olympic history. Keino collapsed during the 10,000 meters earlier in those games but insisted on competing in the 1,500 meters, where he defeated the heavily favored American Jim Ryun by an astonishing 20 meters. He went on to win gold in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Beyond athletics, Keino and his wife Phyllis founded the Kip Keino Foundation, which has cared for over 300 orphaned and abandoned children. The Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret was named in his honor. He received the first-ever Olympic Laurel award in 2016 from the International Olympic Committee for his outstanding contributions to sport and humanitarian work. Keino's success opened the floodgates for Kalenjin and Kenyan dominance in distance running, inspiring generations of athletes including Eliud Kipchoge, David Rudisha, and Vivian Cheruiyot.