ABSTRACT

Keino, born in 1940, first emerged as a star in 1965 when he became the first Kenyan to set a world record (7 minutes, 39.6 seconds for 3,000 meters). In the same year he ran the third fastest mile with a time of 3:54.2; in the process becoming another record holder of sorts, as the first black man to run a sub-four minute mile. Racist plaudits followed. For example, The Times described him as running with “primeval joy and strength, with full-blooded zest replacing tactics.” At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Keino attempted an unprecedented triple. He failed to finish the 10,000 meters, but took the silver medal in the 5, 000 meters and the gold at 1500 meters. His time of 3:44.91 was exceptional at altitude. Kenya won seven other medals, all in running events. Four years later at the Munich Olympics, Keino switched to the 3,000 meters steeplechase and emerged with the gold. It is worth noting that Kenyan athletes trained in Kenya and did not enjoy the kinds of advantages associated with US university athletic scholarships. The first Kenyan to take up such a scholarship was Steve Machooka, who went to Cornell University.