Temu, Naftali (1945-2003), was the first athlete from Kenya to win a gold medal in the Summer Olympic Games . Temu won the gold medal in the men’s 10,000-meter race at the 1968 games in Mexico City. (One meter equals about 3 1/4 feet.) He also won a bronze medal at the 1968 games in the men’s 5,000-meter race.
Nabiba Naftali Temu was born near Sotik, Kenya, on April 20, 1945. He made his international debut as a runner at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, finishing 49th in the men’s marathon . He first gained recognition at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, defeating world record holder Ron Clarke of Australia to win the gold medal in the 6-mile (9,656-meter) race.
Following his success at the 1968 Olympics, Temu’s running career declined. He failed to qualify for the finals in the 10,000-meter race at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, and retired from competitive running in 1973. He later owned a farm in North Mugirango, Kenya. Temu died on March 10, 2003.
