Former Kenyan Olympic Champion Robert Ouko Passes Away

Former Kenyan short-distance runner and Olympic champion Robert Ouko is dead.

Ouko, who was a member of Kenya’s famous 4×400 meters relay team that won gold at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, passed away at his Ngong home on Sunday night aged 70.

While confirming his death, former track athlete Rose Tata Muya said Ouko had been in and out of the hospital for the past 12 months.

"The last time I spoke with him was on Saturday. He told me if he dies, the government should release money meant for heroes to cater for his funeral arrangements because the money did not help him when he wanted," Muya said.

Ouko’s death means Charles Asati and Hezekiah Nyamao are the only surviving members of the quartet that made history in Munich. The other team member, Julius Sang, passed away in 2004.

 “It’s sad that we have been neglected and Ouko died suffering. But we thank God each morning that we wake up because it is He who keeps us going,” Asati, 73, said following Ouko’s death.