Kipchoge Keino
Kenyan middle- and long-distance runner and Olympic gold medalist.
Kipchoge Hezekiah Keino (born 17 January 1940) is a retired Kenyan track and field athlete. He was the chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee (KOC) until 29 September 2017. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Keino was among the first in a long line of successful middle and long distance runners to come from the country and has helped and inspired many of his countrymen and women to become the athletics force that they are today. In 2000, he became an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 2012, he was one of 24 athletes inducted as inaugural members of the IAAF Hall of Fame.
- born
- 17 January 1940
- field
- Track and field athlete
- nationality
- Kenyan
- known_for
- Two-time Olympic gold medalist; 1500 m gold at 1968 Olympics; 3000 m steeplechas
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Keino was born on 17 January 1940 in Kipsamo, Nandi District, Kenya. His name, Kipchoge, is a Nandi language expression for 'born near the grain storage shed.' His parents died when he was a youngster and he was raised by an aunt. After finishing school, he joined the Kenya Police. Before taking up athletics, he played rugby. He began his international career at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia where he came eleventh in the three miles. At the 1964 Summer Olympics he finished fifth in 5000 m and just missed qualification for the 1500 m final. On 27 August 1965, Keino lowered the 3000 m world record by over 6 seconds to 7:39.6 in his first attempt at the distance. He won two gold medals (1500 and 5000 metres) at the inaugural All-Africa Games. Later in that year, he broke the 5000 m world record held by Ron Clarke, clocking 13:24.2. At the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, he won both the mile run and three-mile run. In the next Commonwealth Games, Keino won the 1500 metres and was third in the 5000 metres. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, he won the 1500 metres gold medal (defeating American favourite and world record holder Jim Ryun by 20 metres, the largest winning margin in the history of the event) and 5000 m silver medal. Four years later, he won the 3000 metres steeplechase gold and 1500 metres silver at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. Keino was the flag bearer for Kenya in the 1964 Summer Olympics and the 1972 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies. Keino retired in 1973.
Reader's Guide
Kipchoge Keino's significance lies in his pioneering role as one of the first Kenyan athletes to achieve international success in middle and long distance running, inspiring generations of Kenyan runners. His athletic achievements include two Olympic gold medals, world records in the 3000 m and 5000 m, and multiple Commonwealth Games titles. Beyond competition, he served as chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee until 29 September 2017 and became an honorary IOC member in 2000. His humanitarian work with his wife Phyllis includes establishing the Lewa Children's Home for orphans, KipKeino Primary School in 1999, and Kip Keino Secondary School in 2009. He shared Sports Illustrated's 'Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the Year' award in 1987 with seven others for his work with orphans. In 2012, he was inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame. At the 2016 Olympic opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, he received the first Olympic Laurel for outstanding service to the Olympic movement. On 14 May 2021, asteroid 39285 Kipkeino was named in his honour.
Did You Know?
- Keino's name, Kipchoge, is a Nandi language expression for 'born near the grain storage shed.'
- On 27 August 1965, Keino lowered the 3000 m world record by over 6 seconds to 7:39.6 in his first attempt at the distance.
- At the 1968 Olympics, he defeated American favourite Jim Ryun by 20 metres in the 1500 m, the largest winning margin in the event's history.
- Keino was the flag bearer for Kenya in the 1964 and 1972 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies.
- He received the first Olympic Laurel at the 2016 Olympic opening ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kipchoge Keino?
Kipchoge Hezekiah Keino is a retired Kenyan track and field athlete born on 17 January 1940, celebrated as a two-time Olympic gold medalist in middle- and long-distance running. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers who first put Kenyan distance running on the world stage.
What Olympic gold medals did Kipchoge Keino win?
Keino took the 1500 m title at the 1968 Mexico City Games and the 3000 m steeplechase at the 1972 Munich Games. Those two victories made him a two-time Olympic champion and a defining figure of that era of distance running.
How did Kipchoge Keino shape Kenyan athletics?
As one of the earliest Kenyan runners to reach the top of international middle- and long-distance competition, he broke new ground for athletes from the country. His success helped inspire the generations of Kenyan runners who went on to make the nation a dominant force in global athletics.
What did Kipchoge Keino do after his competitive career ended?
He served as chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee until September 2017 and was named an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee in 2000. In 2012 he was also inducted as an inaugural member of the IAAF Hall of Fame.
Why is Kipchoge Keino considered important in Olympic history?
He is a foundational figure in the story of Kenyan distance running, demonstrating that athletes from the country could compete at the very highest level on the Olympic stage. His legacy extends well beyond his own two gold medals, as he helped lay the groundwork for the pipeline of champions that made Kenya synonymous with middle- and long-distance dominance.
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