This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
Ben Jipcho, a 1972 Olympic silver medallist, has been battling cancer since 2017. The 76-year-old athlete underwent an operation in a Nairobi hospital yesterday to correct urine passage before starting cancer treatment.
According to his son, Moses Jipcho, the surgery is to improve the flow of urine through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The operation is expected to cost Sh300,000.
Ben Jipcho won double gold in 5000m and 3,000m steeplechase at the 1973 All Africa Games in Abuja and double gold over the distances plus a bronze medal in 1500m at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
He is currently at Medi Test Hospital in Nairobi's Parklands and has been booked for an operation to correct urine passage before he can start prostate cancer treatment. Right now we need Sh300,000 for this operation,” Moses said.
Ben Jipcho is well known for his role in Kipchoge Keino's victory over Jim Ryun of America at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City than for his own athletics prowess.
Published on September 26, 2019.
