President Uhuru leads Kenyans in mourning athletics legend Jipcho
Kenya'a Ben Jipcho leaves world record holder Jim Ryun behind as he wins the mile during the sensational professional debut at Uniondale, New York in this undated photo. Jipcho also won the two-mile event. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The 1972 Munich Olympics 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Benjamin Wabura commonly known as ‘Ben Jipcho’ died on Friday at Fountain Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County where he had been hospitalized for the last four days
- Uhuru took to Twitter to wish the family of the highly decorated Kenyan athlete and national hero God's comfort and peace during this difficult period of mourning
- National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) President, Paul Tergat, mourned Jipcho as the founding father of athletics in Kenya who opened global doors to Kenyan athletes
President Uhuru Kenyatta Friday led Kenyans in mourning legendary Kenyan athlete Ben Jipcho whom he eulogised as a "pioneer athlete who helped cement Kenya's profile on the international stage as a top athletics nation."
The 1972 Munich Olympics 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Benjamin Wabura commonly known as ‘Ben Jipcho’ died on Friday at Fountain Hospital in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County where he had been hospitalized for the last four days.
According to his daughter Ruth Jipcho, Ben died at 3.00am on Friday morning at the hospital where he was at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Uhuru took to Twitter to wish the family of the highly decorated Kenyan athlete and national hero God's comfort and peace during this difficult period of mourning.
Ben Jipcho (front, holding flag), the then captain of Team Kenya, leads his victorious contingent back to Nairobi from 10th Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1974. Jipcho won gold in 3,000 metres steeplechase and 5,000m as well as bronze in the 1,500 metres. Kenya won 18 medals. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) President, Paul Tergat, mourned Jipcho as the founding father of athletics in Kenya who opened global doors to Kenyan athletes.
"We are saddened by the loss of Jipcho, a pioneer of athletics in Kenya. My heartfelt condolences to his family and Kenyans at large. He is the reason why we are now doing well in athletics because everybody wanted be like him and all the other pioneers,” said Tergat.
Team Kenya Captain Ben Jipcho (partly hidden, right) hands the flag to President Jomo Kenyatta (second left) as Sports Minister Masinde Muliro (left) looks on following the team's return from the 10th Commonwealth Games held in Christchurch, New Zealand. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Former World Cross Country Championships junior bronze medalist Esther Chemutai, who is also his granddaughter, said Jipcho inspired her to become an athlete.
“My grandfather was a great man and he made me love athletics and that’s how I started training at an early stage. We have lost a humble man and we shall always miss him,” said Chemutai.
Kipchoge Keino recalled the good times he had with Jipcho especially the 1968 Olympics Games where he paced the 1,500m race before paving way for him to clinch gold.
“During our times it was our role to represent our country well and there was no money at that time. We represented well our country with Jipcho and brought fame to the country which has stood to date,” said Keino.
Legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino, at his shop, ‘Kipkeino Sports Centre’ in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, mourns the death of former Olympic 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Ben Jipcho on July 24, 2020. Jipcho died while undergoing treatment at Fountain Hospital in Eldoret on Thursday night. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge condoled with the family saying Jipcho made him what he is today because he was an inspiration.
“I want to send my condolences to the family of the late Jipcho who was among the founding fathers of athletics who really inspired us to keep doing our best in the sport,” said Kipchoge.
Jipcho started his athletics career in the 60’s and he will be remembered as one of the first unofficial pacemakers after sacrificing chances of winning a medal to his compatriot Kipchoge Keino in the 1,500m race during the 1968 Olympics Games.
Jipcho claimed silver in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 1970 Edinburg Commonwealth Games before bagging silver medal at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games in the 3,000m steeplechase.
In 1973, he won gold in 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase during the All Africa Games in Lagos, Nigeria.
In 1974 he bagged gold medals in the 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase races and a bronze medal in the 1,500m race during the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
