Track Legend Kipchoge Keino Gets First Olympic Laurel Award At the Rio Opening Ceremony
Veteran Kenyan athlete and two-time Olympic champion Kipchoge Keino is the first athlete in the world to receive the Olympic Laurel award.
Keino received the inaugural award during the dazzling opening ceremony of the official Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil on Friday evening.
The award has been created by the International Olympic Committee to honour outstanding sportsmen and women for their achievements in social engagements.
Kipchoge, who is also the chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock), received the award at the Games’ opening ceremony early Saturday morning at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium.
In 2012,the legendary athlete was inducted as one of the 24 inaugural members of the International Association of Athletics Federations Hall of Fame.
Jogging to the podium to receive the Award,the beaming 76-year old said,
“As I receive this award, I would like to thank my family and friends who have supported me in all….Education supports not only empowers our youth to be better citizens and leaders of the future, but it will also mould them to connect positive change. Humanity depends on us to motivate them,”
The Kenyan athletic legend was honored for his tireless efforts in helping underprivileged children to gain an education.
Keino has also been on the forefront to help Kenyan youths from poor backgrounds realise their potentials in life.
