OLYMPIC MARATHON CHAMPION SAMMY WANJIRU DEAD AT 24
OLYMPIC MARATHON CHAMPION SAMMY WANJIRU DEAD AT 24
OLYMPIC MARATHON CHAMPION SAMMY WANJIRU DEAD AT 24
By David Monti
(c) 2011 Race Results Weekly, Used with Permission
(15-May) -- Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya has died, apparently from a fall from a balcony at his home. The news was reported to Race Results Weekly in a telephone call by Shadrack Biwott, the former University of Oregon Duck who had spoken to his brother, marathoner Duncan Kibet, in Kenya.
"He jumped out of a balcony and they tried to revive him, but he didn't make it," said Biwott.
Federico Rosa, Wanjiru's manager, confirmed his client's death via a text message. No other details about his death are available at this time.
Wanjiru won the Olympic marathon title in Beijing in 2008 with an Olympic record performance of 2:06:32. His other marathon victories included Chicago in 2009 and 2010, Fukuoka in 2007, and London in 2009. Wanjiru was the World Marathon Majors points champion for the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, and had a career best time of 2:05:10. He was also the former world record holder for the half-marathon with a 58:33 personal best.
RACE DIRECTORS REACT TO WANJIRU'S DEATH:
The tragic death of Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru in Kenya last weekend has stirred responses from several World Marathon Majors race directors. Mary Wittenberg (ING New York City Marathon): "Sammy was a megastar in a sport where it's hard to rise above the deep and broad talent in our sport. Sammy's talent was undeniable. Combined with a huge heart, drive and a fearless nature." Dave Bedford (Virgin London Marathon, via The Independent): "(He was) the greatest marathon runner we have ever seen." Carey Pinkowski (Bank of America Chicago Marathon, via the Chicago Tribune): "I knew him as a warm, kind, fearless athlete. I'm heartbroken."
Wanjiru after his awesome 2010 Chicago Marathon victory.
Wanjiru stands outside of his house, the place where his death reportly took place.
By David Monti
(c) 2011 Race Results Weekly, Used with Permission
(15-May) -- Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya has died, apparently from a fall from a balcony at his home. The news was reported to Race Results Weekly in a telephone call by Shadrack Biwott, the former University of Oregon Duck who had spoken to his brother, marathoner Duncan Kibet, in Kenya.
"He jumped out of a balcony and they tried to revive him, but he didn't make it," said Biwott.
Federico Rosa, Wanjiru's manager, confirmed his client's death via a text message. No other details about his death are available at this time.
Wanjiru won the Olympic marathon title in Beijing in 2008 with an Olympic record performance of 2:06:32. His other marathon victories included Chicago in 2009 and 2010, Fukuoka in 2007, and London in 2009. Wanjiru was the World Marathon Majors points champion for the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, and had a career best time of 2:05:10. He was also the former world record holder for the half-marathon with a 58:33 personal best.
RACE DIRECTORS REACT TO WANJIRU'S DEATH:
The tragic death of Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru in Kenya last weekend has stirred responses from several World Marathon Majors race directors. Mary Wittenberg (ING New York City Marathon): "Sammy was a megastar in a sport where it's hard to rise above the deep and broad talent in our sport. Sammy's talent was undeniable. Combined with a huge heart, drive and a fearless nature." Dave Bedford (Virgin London Marathon, via The Independent): "(He was) the greatest marathon runner we have ever seen." Carey Pinkowski (Bank of America Chicago Marathon, via the Chicago Tribune): "I knew him as a warm, kind, fearless athlete. I'm heartbroken."
Wanjiru after his awesome 2010 Chicago Marathon victory.
Wanjiru stands outside of his house, the place where his death reportly took place.