Peter Rono - Career

Career

Born in Kamobo village, near Kapsabet, Rono won the gold medal at the Africa Cross Country Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1985 and in 1986 he was the silver medallist in the 1500m at the World Junior Championships in Athens, Greece. In 1987, he was a semi-finalist in the 1500m at the World Championships in Rome, Italy.

He attended St. Patrick's High School, Iten where he was trained by Brother Colm O'Connell, an Irish Patrician missionary and headmaster of the school at that time.

At the 1988 Olympic Games, Rono managed to closely defeat the main favourites, Peter Elliott and Steve Cram of Great Britain, thus becoming the youngest Olympic Champion at 1500 m (21 years and 62 days).

Rono never won a major race again. He earned his bachelor's degree and master's degree from Mount Saint Mary's University in Maryland, while competing, and later coaching, for the institution.

In November 2006, Rono was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador at Large by the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition, IIMSAM, that works to promote the use of micro-algae Spirulina (Spirulina Platensis) to counter malnutrition and its severe negative impacts, especially in the developing and Least Developed Countries (LDC).

Peter Rono currently lives in New Jersey, USA where he is employed by the sales and marketing department of the shoe manufacturer New Balance. He is married to Mary Kirui, a runner who won 10,000 metres bronze medal at the 1987 All-Africa Games held in Nairobi, Kenya. Their son Patrick Rono is promising freshman for University of Arkansas. Their daughter Irene is also runner.