Forgotten hero who opened Olympics door for Kipchoge Keino

Wilson Kipkurgut won Kenya's first Olympic medal before Kipchoge Keino tool the world by storm.

As Peter Kosgei brushed past the tape to win the 12th Standard Chartered Nairobi International Marathon yesterday, a man over three times his age was coming to terms with the reality that in his sunset years, his country is yet to fully appreciate his heroic efforts. Wilson Kiprugut arap Chumo 75, is the shujaa (hero) that time forgot, living up to the adage that no one remembers who came second or third in a race.

And this is despite the fact that his feat at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 opened the door for Kenyan athletes including the legendary Kipchoge Keino, to put Kenya on the map of medal-grabbing long distance running.