Kenyan Pioneer Olympian Daniel Rudisha Has Passed Away

Kenyan Olympian Daniel Rudisha has passed away. Rudisha passed away at War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru on Wednesday night at the age of 73.

Daniel, who is father to 800m Olympic champion and world record holder, was himself an olympian, having won silver in the 4x400m relay at the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City. He also competed in the individual 400m at those Olympics.

David said in a statement that his father had been hospitalized the last four days suffering from kidney failure. He was diabetic and had high blood pressure, David added. "He was admitted at intensive care unit and had actually recovered and was in the normal ward," David said.

"He successfully went through dialysis well on Wednesday and those who visited him left him at 10pm on Wednesday in high spirit. It is shocking that he passed on,”
 added David.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolences to the Rudisha family. In a tweet, the president wrote: “My heartfelt condolences and prayers of comfort to the family and friends of Mzee Daniel Rudisha. Mzee Rudisha was a Kenyan athletics hero, a pioneer Olympian, coach and teacher who mentored many in the sport. To @rudishadavid and your entire family, my prayers are with you.”

Athelics Kenya also condoled with the family, writing: “It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of one of pioneer Kenyan athlete, Daniel Rudisha. On behalf of the athletics fraternity, we would like to send our deepest condolences to Rudisha’s family and the people Kilgoris at this difficult time. “