Kenyan world-record slayer dies

Kenyan long-distance runner Henry Rono, who broke four world records in 81 days in 1978, died yesterday at the age of 72, Athletics Kenya said. 

Between April and June of 1978, Rono, a student at Washington State University in the United States and relatively unknown on the international stage, set world records in the 3 000, 5 000 and 10 000 metres and the 3 000 metre steeplechase. 

He would never compete in the Olympics, however, due to Kenyan boycotts of the Games in 1976 and 1980, and his career fizzled out due to alcoholism.

“On behalf of Athletics Kenya Executive Committee and athletics fraternity, we wish to convey our sincere heartfelt condolences,” Athletics Kenya said in a statement. It did not provide a cause of death but said Rono had been in hospital in Kenya’s capital Nairobi for the past 10 days — SuperSport.