Kenya’s Legendary Athlete Nyantika Maiyoro Dies

Kenya’s legendary athlete Mzee Nyantika Maiyoro has died at the age of 88. Maiyoro competed in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne while Kenya was still under British colonial rule. One of the country’s first three competitors in the field of athletics at the event, the 1956 Olympics were the first in which Kenya competed.

Maiyoro was admitted to hospital three weeks ago, with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya and Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i last week offering to pay’s the former athlete’s medical bills.

Kenya’s pioneer javelin thrower and former Commonwealth Games javelin bronze medallist, John Mayaka, also died at the weekend.