National Olympics Committee of kenya (NOC-K), Athletics Kenya and other officials have joined Kenyans in mourning Wilson Kipkurgut Chumo.
In a statement to media houses, NOC-K said: “We have learnt with profound sorrow the passing on of Kenya’s first ever Olympic Games medalist, Mzee Wilson Kiprugut Chumo. Mzee Chumo was a trailblazer that opened the way for our athletes and country to establish the rich tradition and status within the Olympic Movement of Kenya’s athletic and sporting prowess.”
The added: “The 84-year-old legendary middle-distance runner won the first medal at the Summer Games at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, a bronze in 800 meters. His death is even more painful considering that it was only recently during the extraordinary Olympics celebrations in Tokyo where he earned his Olympic medal. As we celebrate this icon, we note with pride that his legacy is immortalized as our athletes continue the winning tradition he established. We join the family and the rest of the sporting fraternity in mourning this great athlete and pray for God’s comfort and strength to bear.”
Chumo won the Kenya’s first ever Olympic Games medal at the Summer Games at the 1964 at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
He won bronze in 800m with the Kaptebeswet Primary School and Sitotwet Intermediate School in Kericho County student.
Today, the Athletics Kenya President Jack Tuwei mourned the late saying: “This is a huge loss to the country and to the sport of athletics. We at Athletics Kenya join his family in mourning a great legend and hero of our nation and will accord the family all the support they need.
“I have already informed the Sports Cabinet Secretary of the development and we shall stand with the family as a nation. We shall offer further details in due course.”