T. NashipaePresident Ruto unveils Wall of Fame in Eldoret
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 17.08.23. | 17:52
The wall is in celebration of various athletes from Eldoret that have represented the country globally
President William Ruto has unveiled the Wall of Fame in Eldoret to celebrate the achievements of various athletes who flew the country’s flag high in various races in the world.
The iconic Wall of Fame located at the newly built Eldoret Arboretum has all names of Kenya’s top athletes who have won medals and ruled major city marathons across the world.
Appreciating the noble move, Central Rift Athletics Chairman Abraham Mutai said that the Wall of Fame provided a platform for the president and delegates to interact with the top runners in the world at the same place.
Eldoret is known as the City of Champions for its continuous birth and nurturing of athletic talents in the country.
“The Wall of Fame is where all athletes who have won medals and ruling in major city marathons across the world have their names engraved. It will include the Commonwealth Games, Olympic Games, World championships, Africa championships among others. We shall not leave anybody. It will be an inclusive event,” said Mutai.
Among the names included in the Wall of Fame include Nickson Kiprotich, the 1992 Barcelona 800m silver medalist, William Tanui, the former world 800m champion, Amos Biwott, the first Kenyan to win the 3,000m steeplechase in 1968, Benjamin Limo, the former 5,000m world champion, former 400m hurdler Rose Tata Muya among others.
According to Limo, the only Kenyan to win gold at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki, Finland, recognizing the great men and women who lifted Kenya’s flag high was well thought-out.
“This is a good idea that the people who flew the Kenyan flag are recognized at home. This conference is a blessing to us,” Limo told Mozzart Sport.
One of the oldest athletes was Fatwell Kimaiyo, aged 76. The Nandi based won the 1974 Commonwealth champion in 110m hurdles. 1992 Olympic 3000m steeplechase bronze medallist William Mutwol and 1992 World steeplechase winner Philip Barkutwo were also present at the event.
Marathoners who graced the event included runners were former Berlin, Paris and Milan Marathons winner Simon Biwott, former Rotterdam marathon champion Duncan Kibet among others.
Joseph Chesire, who represented his country in the 1984, 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympics, Tekla Chemabwai Sang, the first Kenyan to compete at the Olympics in 1968 and Lydia Cheromei, former Amsterdam Marathon were among over veterans who graced the Devolution Conference sports event.
This move coincides with a time when the country is hosting the Devolution Conference. To mark the great sports taken in the field of athletics, veterans showcased their talents during the Devolution Sports Day at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium which is still under construction.
