Ben Jipcho

Benjamin Wabura Jipcho (1 March 1943 – 24 July 2020) was a track and field athlete from Kenya, who won the silver medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 1972 Summer Olympics, behind teammate Kipchoge Keino.[2]

Ben Jipcho

Jipcho in 1972
Personal information
Full name	Benjamin Wabura Jipcho
Born	1 March 1943 (1943-03) Mount Elgon District, Western Province, Kenya
Died	24 July 2020 (2020-07-25) (aged 77)[1] Eldoret, Kenya
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight	71 kg (157 lb)
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	1500-5000 m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	1500 m – 3:33.16 (1974) 5000 m – 13:14.3 (1974) 3000 mS – 8:13.91 (1973)
Medal record Olympic Games Representing  Kenya 1972 Munich 3000 m steeplechase Commonwealth Games 1974 Christchurch 5000 m 1974 Christchurch 3000 m steeplechase 1974 Christchurch 1500 m All-Africa Games 1973 Lagos 5000 m 1973 Lagos 3000 m steeplechase

Jipcho won the 5000 metres race in the 1973 All-Africa Games. He also won the gold medal in the 5000 m. and 3000 m. steeplechase, and the bronze medal in the 1500 metres at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jipcho may be as well known for his role in Keino's victory over Jim Ryun in the high altitude 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City as for his own athletic accomplishments. Sacrificing his own chances for a medal to team tactics, he pulled Keino through a 56-second first 400 metres, before being passed by his teammate with 800 metres to go and drifting back into the pack. By that point, Keino had established a lead of 20 metres or more, which Ryun's famous finishing speed could not erase.[3] Jipcho later apologized to Ryun for acting as Keino's rabbit.

He was later quoted:

"Running for money doesn't make you run fast. It makes you run first."[4]

His granddaughter Esther Chemutai is also a runner,[5] while he was a distant uncle to the siblings Linet Masai and Moses Masai.[6]

He won the silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh, Scotland, finishing in front of fellow Kenyan competitor and the winner of the Gold Medal in the event at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Amos Biwott, who this time collected bronze.

According to his daughter, he died of cancer in Fountain Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.[1]

References

1. "Ben Jipcho, the 'rabbit' who helped Keino beat Ryun, dies". AP NEWS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
2. Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ben Jipcho". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-01-31.
3. Chan, Andy (July 27, 2010) Team Tactics at Championship Races. Pamakidscoach.wordpress.com
4. Oliver, Brian (2014). The Commonwealth Games: Extraordinary Stories Behind the Medals. A&C Black. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-4729-0732-5.
5. The Standard, 4 August 2009: Jipcho’s granddaughter wipes tears
6. The Standard, 20 August 2009: Mt Elgon celebrates Masai’s triumph

External links

• Ben Jipcho at Olympedia
• Ben Jipcho at the International Olympic Committee
• Benjamin Jipcho at World Athletics
• Benjamin Wabura Jipcho at the Olympic Channel

Records
Preceded by Anders Gärderud	Men's 3000 m steeplechase world record holder 15 January 1973 – 25 June 1975	Succeeded by Anders Gärderud
Awards
Preceded by Lasse Virén	Track & Field Athlete of the Year 1973	Succeeded by Rick Wohlhuter
Sporting positions
Preceded by Emiel Puttemans	Men's 5000 m best year performance 1974	Succeeded by Emiel Puttemans
Preceded by Anders Gärderud	Men's 3000 m steeplechase best year performance 1973	Succeeded by Anders Gärderud