Former World Record Holder Henry Rono Dies
Athletics Kenya(AK) has confirmed the death of former World Record Holder Henry Rono days after the demise of the late world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum who was involved in a road accident.
Aged 72 years, the legendary marathoner passed away at a hospital in Nairobi where he had been receiving treatment. The athlete passed away at 10:30 am on Thursday after a ten-day hospitalisation at the facility.
However, the athletics body did not clarify the circumstances surrounding the veteran athlete’s death but asked for family privacy in these mourning times.
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“Athletics Kenya is saddened to announce and notify the public of the demise of former Athlete Mr. Henry Rono which occurred today at 10.30 am.”
This comes a few days after the current Marathon World Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum died in an accident that has been surrounded with a lot of controversy with his family calling for probe into what caused the accident that claimed the athlete’s life and that of his coach.
Police have confirmed that the car that the athlete was driving was in good mechanical condition at the time of the accident. However, police have said that they will continue with the investigations to determine what happened before and after the accident.
Henry Rono was a two-time world recorder holder in the 5,000 metres race, having made history in 1978, and in 1981. He also the holder of the 3,000 metres steeplechase world record for over a decade.
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In 1978, Rono produced one of the greatest performances in athletics history, breaking four world records in 81 days.
Rono also ran 27:22.50 to smash the existing 10,000m world record in an event staged in Vienna, Austria in the same year