Exclusive Interview: Legendary Kipchoge Keino speaks on the legacy of Absa Kip Keino Classic
“Let this race be more than a competition. Let it be a symbol of who we are and who we can become.”
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 2- Kipchoge Hezekiah Keino is widely regarded as the father of Kenyan athletics, not because he is a pioneer of the sport but his career achievements defined him as the first local runner to shoot to global superstardom.
His epic victories at the Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 Olympic Games, where he remains the only man to win gold medals at the men’s 1500m and 3000m steeplechase— the rarest of doubles at the pinnacle of his sport, is the stuff of legends.
Running in an era where athletics was not the professional money-minting sport it is today, the tales of his triumphs have been cascaded down the generations in movie theatres, small screen, books, magazine, radio and online, etching his name into the pantheon of the all-time greats.
The 85-year-old former Olympics Kenya president remains a towering figure in the sport, although age has seen him lose the gait and command he bestrode his country’s athletics like a collosus.
And the man who started his Olympics career at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Games is one of the few former athletes who have an international meeting named in his honour.
Speaking ahead of the 2025 Absa Kip Keino Classic that went down last down last Saturday (May 31), the Kenyan running giant spoke in a voice rich with sagely experience and passion.
Exclusive interview
Despite his advancing years and the need to use a walking cane that has slowed the once elegant strides, the four-time Olympics medallist reflected on a journey that began with no formal running infrastructure.
In an exclusive interview for this website, the towering figure also spoke on the evolution of the sport in Kenya and the significance of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event that is named in his honour.
“When we started, we didn’t have coaches. We had no access to scholarships or prize money. We ran because of the passion.
“Today’s athlete has a chance to earn, to build a future, to support a family. That is progress,” said Keino who is honorary life member of the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
The Kip Keino Classic, now a premier track and field event in Africa that marked its sixth running this year, is more than a meet—it is a celebration of Kenya’s hard-earned reputation as a global athletics powerhouse.
But for him, it’s also a symbol of a larger vision: one where sport becomes a national priority and the State supports talent at every level.
“It feels great to have a race like this fly my name. But it is not about me. It is about our country. It is about showing the world what we have.
“That’s why this event must be supported, and why I thank the sponsors who have stood with Athletics Kenya,” he said, applauding Absa Bank Kenya for their title sponsorship.
Since its inception, the Kip Keino Classic has brought world-class athletes to run on Kenyan soil, showcased raw talent and brought attention to the nation’s potential—not just in athletics, but as a host of international events.
However, Keino is quick to point out the paradox: that a country famed for producing some of the world’s greatest runners is still struggling to put up sports facilities.
National conversation
“Why does a country that produces the best athletes struggle to build standard stadiums?” he posed.
“We need competitive tracks not just in Nairobi, but in the counties. Regional stadiums will raise new talent. Look at how we started the race in Kasarani, then Nyayo, and now Ulinzi. That shows what can happen when we invest.”
He was acknowledging that the Kip Keino Classic has been hosted in three venues within the Kenyan capital since its inception, the first event of its kind to do so in the world.
For decades the Mexico 1968 and Munich 1972 Olympics champion has been a vocal advocate for nurturing talent from the grassroots.
“At the last Paris Olympics, we were second to the US in athletics. We must ask ourselves why. We must build systems that allow athletes to excel here—then we can expand into sports like tennis, volleyball, swimming, and rugby,” he advised the powers that be.
He cited the example of Paul Ereng, Kenya’s first Olympic 800m gold medalist, who has put together a successful coaching career in the United States.
Keino questioned what might have been if such talent had been harnessed locally.
“Those who study abroad should come back and invest in Kenyan sport. Imagine how many would benefit if Ereng was coaching here.
“Athletics has opened doors for many, but let’s ensure it opens doors for the next generation too.”
For Keino, the solution is clear: a national conversation involving government, sponsors, and athletics bosses to place the sport as a cornerstone of Kenya’s development agenda.
“Athletics leaders must come together and plan. We must ensure those who have done well are equipped with coaching skills to give back.
“The Ministry of Sports must play its role. We can’t rely on legacy alone—we must build a future.”
Keino was among the thousands of cheering fans who turned Ulinzi Sports Complex into a festive atmosphere on Saturday, his eyes beaming with pride as the assembled field stormed to world leads, meet records and also, make the qualifying standard for the Tokyo 2025 World Championships.
“Let this race be more than a competition. Let it be a symbol of who we are and who we can become,” he delivered in his parting shot.
-By Robert Kibet | Freelance Journalist
-Photos: Organisers
