Contents
Athlete
Kipchoge Keino
Famoose for
Helping establish Kenya as a force in international distance running.
1500m gold · 5000m silver
- Born
- 17 January 1940
- Birthplace
- Kipsamo, Kenya
More people
Kipchoge Keino
Kipchoge Keino is a Kenyan runner whose Olympic victories helped inspire later generations of East African athletes.
Early life
Kenyan highlands
Grew up in western Kenya.
Police service
Worked as a police officer while developing his running.
Career
- 1960s
International breakthrough
Won Commonwealth titles and set world records.
- 1968
Olympic champion
Won the 1500m in Mexico City.
- 1972 onward
Second Olympic title
Won steeplechase gold before moving into sports leadership.
Achievements
1500m gold
Won in Mexico City ahead of Jim Ryun.
5000m silver
Added a second medal at the same Games.
Steeplechase gold
Won in Munich.
Beyond athletics
Children’s welfare
Founded a children’s home with his wife Phyllis.
Sports leadership
Served as president of Kenya’s national Olympic committee.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: Ralf Roletschek. CC BY 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
