Kenyan long-distance running legend Henry Rono, renowned for breaking four world records in 1978, passed away at the age of 72, confirmed athletics officials on Thursday. Rono, a former student at Washington State University in the United States, achieved these remarkable feats in the 3,000m, 5,000m, and 3,000m steeplechase disciplines within a span of 81 days.
Athletics Kenya disclosed that Rono had been hospitalized for the past 10 days before his demise.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist and former Olympic committee chief of Kenya, Kipchoge Keino, described Rono as “one of the best long-distance athletes Kenya has ever produced.”
