Former world record holder dead: After his career he was temporarily homeless. Rono never competed in the Olympic Games.
During its sporting heyday, Kenya boycotted both the 1976 Games in Montreal and four years later in Moscow. He was unable to take part in the world championships. The first title fights took place in Helsinki in 1983, when Rono ended his career due to mental problems and physical exhaustion. The World Athletics Federation IAAF awarded the exceptional athlete a special prize in 2008 when honoring the World Athletes.