Olympic legend to visit Tullamore

Double Olympic gold medal winner Kip Keino will be in Tullamore today (Thursday) as a guest of Offaly Sports Partnership at its Africa week athletics event in the Tullamore Harriers. Keino shocked the world in 1968 by defeating world record holder Jim Ryun and laid the foundation for the future Kenyan onslaught in middle and long distance track athletics. Four years later, Keino went on to take gold in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 1972 Olympic Games. As part of the Africa week celebrations Offaly Sports Partnership together with its counterpart organisations in Laois, Longford and Westmeath will be hoping for future talent identification from new communities living in Ireland including children from Africa and other nations. It's hoped too that the exploits of Keino and other successful athletes that followed in his footsteps will inspire them to stay involved in sport. For more information on the midlands Africa week event contact Eamonn Henry on 057 9346843 or 086 7948054.