Sammy Wanjiru, Olympic Marathon Champion, Dead at 24

[paparush]

Source: Running Times

15-May) -- Olympic Marathon champion Samuel Wanjiru of Kenya has died, apparently from a fall from a balcony at his home. The news was reported to Race Results Weekly in a telephone call by Shadrack Biwott, the former University of Oregon Duck who had spoken to his brother, marathoner Duncan Kibet, in Kenya.

"He jumped out of a balcony and they tried to revive him, but he didn't make it," said Biwott.

Federico Rosa, Wanjiru's manager, confirmed his client's death via a text message. No other details about his death are available at this time.

Wanjiru won the Olympic marathon title in Beijing in 2008 with an Olympic record performance of 2:06:32. His other marathon victories included Chicago in 2009 and 2010, Fukuoka in 2007, and London in 2009. Wanjiru was the World Marathon Majors points champion for the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 seasons, and had a career best time of 2:05:10. He was also the former world record holder for the half-marathon with a 58:33 personal best.


Read more: http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=22804

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Sammy was a tough, tough runner. The running community will miss him dearly.

[Electric Monk]

1. Jumped out of a balcony. Suicide? Strange news. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. Marital problems, and perhaps a violent personality

Last December, he was charged with threatening to kill his wife, Triza Njeri, assault and the illegal possession of an AK-47 assault rifle.

Mrs Njeri subsequently withdrew her accusations, saying they had reconciled.
...
After a domestic dispute, he fell from the balcony of his home in Nyahururu, 150km (93 miles) north-west of Nairobi.

Nyahururu police chief Jasper Ombati said the dispute began when Mrs Njeri returned unexpectedly to find Wanjiru with a female friend, according to the Daily Nation newspaper.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13408162

[sofa king]

3. ...and maybe a helpful shove.

Jumping off a balcony after your wife finds you with "a female friend"? That's askin' for a taste of fury.

[Wednesdays]

4. Dunno...how easy is it to haul a world-class athlete over a balcony

...against his will? :shrug:

[Jimbo S]

5. Just...wow

The news is akin to Aaron Rogers or Puljois committing suicide.

[paparush]

6. Aparently a woman has appeared claiming to be Sammy's other wife.