1968 Olympics silver medalist Daniel Matasi Rudisha is dead.
The Kenyan legend was a member of the 4 x 400m relay team alongside Charles Asati, Munyoro Kamau & Naftali Bon that claimed silver at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City in 2 mins 59.6 seconds.
He was the father of 800m World Record Holder David Rudisha.
The 1968 games were the first Olympic Games to be staged in Latin America and the first to be staged in a Spanish-speaking country. They were the first Games to use an all-weather (smooth) track for track and field events instead of the traditional cinder track.
It is with deep sadness that I’ve learnt of the passing of Kenya’s legendary sprinter Mzee Daniel Rudisha,1968 4x400m relay Olympic Silver Medalist. He played an instrumental role in pioneering Kenya’s success in short distance running, inspiring a new generation of champions.— AMB. (Dr.) Amina C. Mohamed (@AMB_A_Mohammed) March 7, 2019
After retiring from the sport, he became a school teacher and a coach.
As a coach, he has trained many top class Kenyan athletes, including Billy Konchellah, who won the 800 metres at the World Athletics Championships in 1987.
David Rudisha with his father Daniel Rudisha aged at age 73
His son, David Rudisha, is also an athlete and current Olympic Champion at 800 metres, having set a new world record in the final at London 2012 and defending his title in the 2016 Rio Games.
Daniel Matasi Rudisha passed away on Wednesday evening while recieving treatment at the War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru aged 73 after suffered a heart attack.