800M World Record holder David Rudisha is mourning his father, Daniel Matasi Rudisha who passed away on Wednesday night.
Confirming the news, Rudisha stated that his father (73) succumbed to a heart attack having been admitted to hospital.
"Our beloved father sadly left us last night. He had recovered and was on his way to fine health having been taken out of the Intensive Care Unit.
"He was talking well and joking as usual while undergoing his dialysis treatment but at around 11pm, he suffered a sudden heart attack and efforts to resuscitate him did not bear any fruit,” he revealed.
David stated that the family would try to remain strong as they mourn the loss of their patriarch.
The athletics fraternity led by Athletics Kenya expressed their condolence to the family.
"It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of one of pioneer Kenyan athlete, Daniel Rudisha. On behalf of the athletics fraternity, we would like to send our deepest condolences to Rudisha’s family and the people Kilgoris at this difficult time," the sports body tweeted.
Sports CS Amina Mohamed celebrated the legendary sprinter as an instrumental figure in pioneering Kenya's success in short distance running and inspiring a new generation of champions.
"It is upon his bold strides and legacy that David Rudisha and other world champions have drawn upon and built on. As a nation, we have lost a great sportsman and a patriot. The entire Sports community wishes the family God’s comfort and strength during this trying moment," she stated.
Daniel Rudisha, was a veteran athlete who competed for Kenya in the 1968 Olympics where he was part of the Kenyan quartet that won silver in the 4X400m relay final.
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.
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.
