Kenyan Olympic trailblazer Chumo dies

Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, the first Kenyan man to win an Olympic medal, has passed on aged 84.

Athletics Kenya (AK) said in a statement that the athletics icon who bagged bronze in 800m during the 1964 Olympic Games passed away last evening in Kericho after battling a long illness.

During his trailblazing career, Kiprugut also bagged silver at the 1966 Commonwealth Games before claiming another silver at the 1968 Olympic Games.

He also won two gold medals at the 1965 All Africa Games held in Brazzaville, Congo.

Kiprugut's budding talent began to blossom during the East and Central African Championships where he won three 880-yard titles.

"Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and all Kenyan sports stakeholders. We will surely miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person who selflessly made the country proud on the global stage," AK said.

To honour his contribution to the sport, the County Government of Kericho had proposed the renaming of the Kericho Green Stadium.