The late Sammy Wanjiru seen here winning the Beijing Olympics Gold (skysports)
Sources quoting a close family member have revealed that, Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya has died, apparently from a fall from a balcony at his home. Contradicting versions have already emerging with some saying he jumped, while others say he fell off the balcony.
Medics called top attend to Wanjiru could not resuscitate him. Federico Rosa, Wanjiru’s manager, confirmed his client’s death via a text message, to a news network. No other details about his death are available at this time.
I first met Sammy Wanjiru in 2008 when he came to the London Marathon in 2008 for the first time finishing second behind Martin Lel. I had put my hopes on him winning after following his performances the year before, so after the event, he told me that he had not mastered the course and slowed down at a crucial time but, he noted “ I will be back next year and I will win it.” In 2009, the Japanese based athlete stood by his word and won the event in record time of 2:05:10
Wanjiru won the Olympic marathon title in Beijing in 2008 with an Olympic record performance of 2:06:32. His other marathon victories included Chicago in 2009 and 2010, Fukuoka in 2007, and London in 2009. Wanjiru was the World Marathon Majors points champion for the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, and had a career best time of 2:05:10. He was also the former world record holder for the half-marathon with a 58:33 personal best.
After winning last October’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a thrilling sprint finish over Ethiopian Tesgaye Kebede, Wanjiru faced several difficulties.
Last December, he was arrested at his home in Nyahururu and charged with threatening his wife, striking a security guard, and possessing an illegal AK-47 rifle. Wanjiru was released on bail, and his wife later withdrew her charges against him, but he still faced the weapons charge, however.
In January, Wanjiru was also involved in a car accident on the Nairobi-Nyahururu road, rolling his four wheel drive vehicle several times trying to avoid an oncoming truck. He avoided serious injury in the incident, but later withdrew from April’s Virgin London Marathon with a knee problem.
I was looking forward to reconnecting with him at the Virgin London Marathon, but he withdrew following a knee injury. Another Kenyan hero down and out!
