I speak as a Kenyan. The first African to win an Olympic medal, and gold one for that matter was the Ethiopian Abebe Bikila, Rome 1960, running barefoot. He won it again in 1964. In 1968 he was running injured, upon realising he could not finish the race, he summoned Mamo Wolde (Silver medallist 10,000m) to his side and ordered him to win the marathon, which Wolde duly did. Even as we pride ourselves on our achievements, let us not forget to give credit to our brothers from other African countries.
@@dmitry.greatgrandsonofteheroes no idea. It’s just not a big event in the UK despite us over the years having some very good 1500 metre runners only one good steeple chaser
I'll never forget the 1988 olympics. Every time the national anthem was played I cried. The pride, oh the pride, the joy. They made us feel we could do anything as Kenyans.
Brilliant race by Ngugi. American coverage ruined the race by cutting out when he made his move to take command. I remember thinking that in the 400 Steve Lewis had the perfect lane draw with Egbonuki, (sorry for the bad spelling) being on the outside of him. Ngugi looked like he was on a training run in the last mile, when coverage resumed.
Did you ever get to see Henry Rono run a Steeple? No hurdle form but ran great. My sister got to see his WR 5k at Cal, when he ran for Washington State. In 1980 I was doing my usual slow warm up for the HS mile at Sunkist. A group of three short guys were several meters in front of me, running same slow pace. I assumed they were sprinters, but it turned out to be Henry and two other Kenyans. I had a good race and taught my athletes to warm up slow when I coached HS several years later.
Only six current male or female British records for current Olympic/World Athletics events still remain from the 1980s. Mark Rowland is one of those six and he along with Seb Coe's 800m in 1981 are the only track ones.
Keep in mind that Henry was 34 when race was run. 1980 would have been his year. He also worked for a living, like most Americans. Pretty impressive when you account for everything.
@@larryguinee6344Couldn't see him beating the great Filbert Bayi and Bronislaw Malinowski in 1980. His big chance to win a major title was at Helsinki in the 1983 World Championships when he fell at the last hurdle.
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great run from rowlands
Kenyans were the only black athletes representing black lives by then.
I speak as a Kenyan. The first African to win an Olympic medal, and gold one for that matter was the Ethiopian Abebe Bikila, Rome 1960, running barefoot. He won it again in 1964. In 1968 he was running injured, upon realising he could not finish the race, he summoned Mamo Wolde (Silver medallist 10,000m) to his side and ordered him to win the marathon, which Wolde duly did. Even as we pride ourselves on our achievements, let us not forget to give credit to our brothers from other African countries.
Mark Rowlands run for the bronze medal is still the British record for this event.
Still since 1988?! Big respect but why nobody tried to improve?
@@dmitry.greatgrandsonofteheroes no idea. It’s just not a big event in the UK despite us over the years having some very good 1500 metre runners only one good steeple chaser
@@darrenshaw767 Colin Reitz too.
@@Ruda-n4h yes, true, he won a bronze in Helsinki 83. He was also very good
The great Julius Kariuki makes it look ridiculously easy as usual.
The last names are great as well...Kariuki, Ngugi, Egboniki, et al, etc.
Watching it in 2023 and knowing about improvement of this OR 28 years later in Rio by other Kenian, send my respect to all African sportsmen
good old memories this and john ngugi in 5000m gold
I'll never forget the 1988 olympics. Every time the national anthem was played I cried. The pride, oh the pride, the joy. They made us feel we could do anything as Kenyans.
Brilliant race by Ngugi. American coverage ruined the race by cutting out when he made his move to take command. I remember thinking that in the 400 Steve Lewis had the perfect lane draw with Egbonuki, (sorry for the bad spelling) being on the outside of him. Ngugi looked like he was on a training run in the last mile, when coverage resumed.
julius kariuki of kenya what a race.........................
Did you ever get to see Henry Rono run a Steeple? No hurdle form but ran great. My sister got to see his WR 5k at Cal, when he ran for Washington State. In 1980 I was doing my usual slow warm up for the HS mile at Sunkist. A group of three short guys were several meters in front of me, running same slow pace. I assumed they were sprinters, but it turned out to be Henry and two other Kenyans. I had a good race and taught my athletes to warm up slow when I coached HS several years later.
Only six current male or female British records for current Olympic/World Athletics events still remain from the 1980s. Mark Rowland is one of those six and he along with Seb Coe's 800m in 1981 are the only track ones.
Yes,this is a race of strength,speed and endurance. And a Kenyan 1-2. Amazing
"Keenyans"?
Hey Henry! How's that running from behind working for you?
Steeplechase manufactured in Kenya
@kissmyaass1 His chance was at the World Championship in 1983 when he fell at the last hurdle.
Henry Marsh's tactics left a lot to be desired, for a guy with lots of speed he didn't do himself any favours. 76,84,88 back in the field.
You would think after how many races Henry would have learned to make a move earlier in the race?
Keep in mind that Henry was 34 when race was run. 1980 would have been his year. He also worked for a living, like most Americans. Pretty impressive when you account for everything.
@@larryguinee6344 true, but he took off too late
@@larryguinee6344Couldn't see him beating the great Filbert Bayi and Bronislaw Malinowski in 1980. His big chance to win a major title was at Helsinki in the 1983 World Championships when he fell at the last hurdle.
Francisco Panetta messed it up at Olympic. How could he messed up despite he was world champion previous year?
The only male track athlete to win a title at the 1987 World Championship and at the 1988 Olympic Games was Carl Lewis in the 100m.
I was 2years old 😊
Athletic s has gone downhill