Tributes pour in for fallen Olympics cult hero Hezekiah Nyamao

Kenya’s sporting fraternity is in mourning following the death of legendary Olympic gold medalist Hezekiah Nyamao, who passed away at the age of 88 after a long battle with cancer.

His granddaughter, Felister Nyamao, confirmed his death on Tuesday morning, saying that he had succumbed to cancer after a long battle.

The National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and Athletics Kenya have paid glowing tribute to the late icon, hailing him as one of the pioneers of the country’s athletics excellence.

In mid-this year, he was admitted to the Kisii Specialist Hospital, where he underwent treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in February this year.

While appealing for help from the government, Nyamau's child disclosed that the father was struggling with speech and that, despite interventions, they had exhausted all the available resources to treat Nyamau.

"He was diagnosed with cancer in February this year. Since then, we have been in and out of the hospital," said Nyamau’s second-born child.

Nyamao was part of the historic 4x400m relay team that clinched gold at the 1972 Munich Olympics, clocking 2:59.83, and silver in the same event at the 1968 Mexico City Games, running alongside Robert Ouko, Julius Sang, and Charles Asati.

His legacy also includes gold at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games in the 4x400m relay, being the East and Central African champion in the 400m in 1972, and being an unbeaten regional champion between 1967 and 1972

Off the track, Nyamao served his country with distinction as a soldier in the Kenya Defence Forces from 1963 until his retirement in 1997.

His unforgettable contribution to Kenya’s golden era of athletics, especially the comeback win at the 1972 Olympics, remains one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

Both NOC-K and Athletics Kenya have called for greater support and recognition of retired athletes, urging national institutions to celebrate the heroes who laid the foundation for Kenya’s global athletics success.

Condolences have poured in from across the country, with the sporting community expressing grief and gratitude for a man whose name is etched in Kenya’s Olympic legacy.