The country was shocked yesterday to find out poor state of a former legend athlete Henry Rono.Rono who has lived in the United States for 32 years now sent a passionate message back to kenya admitting being at his worst while requesting help for a ticket back to the country.
His sorry situation further revealed he is currently a security guard at Albuquerque airport
Speaking to the Nation on Wednesday evening, Kip Keino who has decided to rescue the fallen legend explained how he played a role in securing Rono a track scholarship at Washington State University back in 1976.
“I’m ready to buy Rono his ticket. It is me who got him into competition in the US and I will make sure he comes back home, we need him to come home and see his family,” a rueful Keino stated.
At the peak of their athletic careers, Rono and Keino were simply ahead of the pack with their dominant style of running.
However, while Keino crowned his stellar career with two Olympic goal medals – in the 1500m finals in Mexico (1968) and the steeplechase finals in Munich (1972), Rono’s path took a downward trajectory.
Kenya’s boycott of the 1976 and 1980 Olympic games due to conflicting political ideologies meant that Rono would not be able to showcase his immense talent on the world’s biggest stage, while at his prime.
This took a negative toll on him consequently leading to an irrepressible alcoholism.
Jack Tuwei, Athletics Kenya President, revealed that he had received numerous offers to support Rono.
“Many other athletes are ready to help him because once he gets back home, he will also need financial support to settle down,” he added.