Tribute: Man on 180-kilometre trek wants stadium named after legendary athlete

**Former athlete, the late Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, at his home in Kericho County, on May 19, 2021. He was the first African to participate in the Olympic Games. [**File, Standard]

He said: "It will take me about five days to reach Kericho, a journey that will cover roughly 185 kilometres from Salawa in Baringo County. I hope to arrive there by Friday."

Donned in a white dust coat, Malatit also carried a short beaded club, reminiscent of his Kalenjin tradition.

He is also carrying a green flag bearing the words "Kiprugut Chumo Stadium Kericho", and a bag containing a bottle of honey and bottled water.

"I wear this white dust coat to signify peace. The club I carry is part of our Kalenjin tradition, and the flag is meant to convey my message easily to people along the road. As you can see, I have inscribed 'Kiprugut Chumo' on it, with the green colour representing Kericho Green Stadium," he said.

Malatit vividly remembers 1964 when Kiprugut became the first Kenyan and African to win an Olympic medal in Tokyo, Japan, when he earned a bronze in the 800 meters.

"We should take immense pride in his remarkable contribution to our nation. Just imagine being the first African to win an Olympic medal. That is a major achievement of great significance. We must ensure the coming generation knows about this heroic figure who brought immense pride and honour to our nation," Malatit said.

Kiprugut died on November 1 last year at his Kipchebor home near Kericho town.

**Damaged tartan at Kericho Green Stadium in Kericho** **town on October 27, 2021 A former chief wants the stadium to be named after late athlete Wislom Chumo.** [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

However, in 1964 Kiprugut emerged as a trailblazer, putting Kenya and Africa on the global map, and becoming the first Kenyan and African to win an Olympic medal.

Kiprugut's excellence extended beyond the Olympics. In 1965, he clinched two gold medals in the 400 and 800-meter races at the inaugural All-African Games in Brazzaville, Congo. The following year, he participated in the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, securing another bronze medal in the 880 yards.

During the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico, Kiprugut added a silver medal to his collection. He concluded his active athletics career in 1969, transitioning to a role as a fitness instructor in the army until his retirement in 1974.

As Malatit advances toward his goal, he carries the aspiration of honouring a true Kenyan hero, to ensure the legacy of Kiprugut lives on.

With every stride in Malatit's ongoing journey, he has one message - the dedication of a single individual possesses the potential to ignite transformative change and safeguard the legacies of our heroes.

"I eagerly anticipate the day when Kericho Green Stadium will bear the name of the late Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, a timeless tribute to a genuine Kenyan legend," Malatit said.