Ruto Renames Kericho Green Stadium After Olympic Medalist Kiprugut Chumo

With Joel Masibo 

President William Ruto Friday renamed Kericho Green Stadium renamed to Kiprugut Chumo Stadium during the 60th Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kericho.

The sports venue has been renamed in honour of Kenya’s first ever Olympic medalist Wilson Kiprugut Chumo who died in 2022 aged 84.The stadium which acts as home to lower division side Zoo FC has been undergoing renovations.

Chumo competed at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico Olympics and won two medals in the 800 metres event for Kenya.

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Chumo, hailing from Kericho County in Kenya’s Rift Valley was the first person from the country ever to win an Olympic medal.

Kiprugut was part of the Kenyan 4 × 440 yards relay team which finished fifth at the 1962 Commonwealth Games.

Still at the peak of his career, Chumo won the 880 yards silver medal at the 1966 Commonwealth Games as well.

He went ahead to clinch two gold medals (in the 400 and 800 metres) at the inaugural All-Africa Games in 1965.

Kiprugut Chumo won the Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year award in 2010, several decades in his retirement.

Kiprugut died on 1 November 2022, at the age of 84.

Meanwhile, Kenya is revamping its major football venues in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The African football bonanza will also be played in Uganda and Tanzania.