![]() ![]() "As he crossed a street, oblivious of the red light for pedestrians, Kip was stopped by an angry policeman who asked for his ID and drew out a notebook and pen, ready to book him for a traffic offence," John Velzian, Kenya's pioneer track and field coach recalls. He had earlier dropped out of the 10,000m final on October 13. ![]() Honours: Honorary Doctorate of Letters, Egerton University Honorary Doctorate of Law, Bristol University, United Kingdom Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) Order of the Burning Spear (OBS) Olympic Order (2011) The Olympic Laurel (2016).Ĭoaching: Kenyan team at the Olympic Games in Montreal (1976) and Los Angeles (1984) Brisbane Commonwealth Games (1982) All Africa Games in Nairobi (1987) World Championships in Rome (1987). Sports leadership positions held: President, National Olympic Committee of Kenya (1999-2017) Member, International Olympic Committee (2000- 2010) Honorary Member (since 2011) Member of the following IOC Commissions: Athletes' (1982-2000), Olympic Solidarity (1983-2001), Coordination for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing in 2008 (2002-2008) Culture and Olympic Education (2009) Chef de Mission, Team Kenya (Commonwealth Games 1994 in Victoria, Canada and Olympic Games in Atlanta, 1996). Though having received numerous doctor's warnings to withdraw from racing following his constant abdominal pains, he turned a deaf ear, registering for five races in the distances between the 1,500m to the 10,000m race events. On the day of the 1,500 metres final, Kip was feeling unwell, and had to struggle to make his way to the Olympic Stadium.ĭoctors had told him to abandon his mission for the treble (all three Olympic final races inside a seven-day window), having fought for silver in the 5,000m final, losing to Tunisia's Mohammed Gammoudi three days earlier by just 0.02 seconds in a sprint finish. ![]() The effects of Mexico City's high altitude were getting to be felt, and Kenya's distance running sensation Kipchoge Keino was battling illness triggered by the thin Aztecan air.ĭespite having trained at high altitude, principally at Kiganjo in Nyeri (1,788 metres or 5,869 feet), the thin air of Mexico's Olympic Stadium at 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) posed a huge challenge for Kip.
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