The local athletics fraternity has once again been plunged into mourning following the sudden demise of 1968 Olympics silver medallist Daniel Matasi Rudisha, who is the father of middle distance running super star David Lekuta Rudisha on Wednesday night aged 73.
The grief-stricken two-time Olympics and world men champion who is also the men 800m record holder confirmed the devastating news on Thursday morning having taken to Twitter to post touching messages to his father on Tuesday.
Daniel, 73, became a coach and teacher after retiring from the sport he made his name during the Mexico 68 Games where he was part of the Kenyan quartet that minted the silver in the 4X400m relay final before his son rose to become the greatest 800m runner of all time having been inspired to take up the sport by the Olympics medal he displayed at home.
According to his son, the elder Rudisha succumbed to a heart attack at 11pm local time (+3GMT) having spent his last few days in hospital. He has been suffering from diabetes for a long time.
“Our beloved father sadly left us last night. He had recovered and was on his way to fine health having been taken off the Intensive Care Unit.
“He was talking well and joking as usual while undergoing his dialysis treatment but at around 11pm, he suffered a sudden heart attack and efforts to resuscitate him did not bear any fruit,” the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics gold winner said on Thursday morning.
” We will try to remain strong during these difficult times,” the younger Rudisha who holds the 1:40.91 world record in 800m set in his epic victory at London 2012 Olympics added.