Wilson Chumo: The man who opened medal floodgates for Kenya

Former athlete Wilson Kiprugut Chumo at his residential home in Kericho County. He was the first African to participate in Olympic Games. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Kenya returns to Tokyo, Japan, today, the venue where it won her first Olympic medal 57 years ago thanks to a man with a lion-heart, mzee Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, now ageing gracefully in Kericho.

At 83 years of age, the giant of a man, who still retains an infectious smile, will surely be pleased to see Team Kenya deputy captain Andrew Amonde carry the Kenyan flag during the opening ceremony at the Tokyo Stadium today.