Samson Kitur
Encyclopedia
Samson Kitur (February 25, 1966 — April 25, 2003) was a Kenya
n athlete, and an Olympic medalist in 1992.
Unlike most of his compatriots, who run in distances 800 metres
and up, Kitur specialised in the 400 metres
. He won the continental championship in 1991, and the next year he took the bronze medal
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
, behind winner Quincy Watts
. A year later, another bronze medal was his at the World Championships
in Stuttgart
.
He died suddenly of an unspecified illness at age 37 in his home in Eldoret
.
Two of his brothers were also Olympic athletes: Simon Kitur
and David Kitur
.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n athlete, and an Olympic medalist in 1992.
Unlike most of his compatriots, who run in distances 800 metres
800 metres
The 800 meter race is a common track running event. It is the shortest common middle distance track event. The 800 meter is run over two laps of the track and has always been an Olympic event. During indoor track season the event is usually run on a 200 meter track, therefore requiring four laps...
and up, Kitur specialised in the 400 metres
400 metres
The 400 metres, or 400 metre dash, is a common sprinting event in track and field competitions. It has been featured in the athletics programme at the Summer Olympics since 1896 . On a standard outdoor running track, it is exactly one lap around the track. Runners start in staggered positions and...
. He won the continental championship in 1991, and the next year he took the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
at the 1992 Summer Olympics
1992 Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event celebrated in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, in 1992. The International Olympic Committee voted in 1986 to separate the Summer and Winter Games, which had been held in the same...
, behind winner Quincy Watts
Quincy Watts
Quincy D. Watts is a former American athlete, winner of two gold medals at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Born in Detroit, Michigan, Quincy Watts attended the University of Southern California where he excelled not only as an athlete but also as a wide receiver on the college football team...
. A year later, another bronze medal was his at the World Championships
1993 World Championships in Athletics
The 4th World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held in the Gottlieb Daimler Stadium, Stuttgart, Germany between August 13 and August 22 with the participation of 187 nations....
in Stuttgart
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is the capital of the state of Baden-Württemberg in southern Germany. The sixth-largest city in Germany, Stuttgart has a population of 600,038 while the metropolitan area has a population of 5.3 million ....
.
He died suddenly of an unspecified illness at age 37 in his home in Eldoret
Eldoret
Eldoret is a town in western Kenya and the administrative centre of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Lying south of the Cherangani Hills, the local elevation varies from about 2100 metres above sea level at the airport to more than 2700 metres in nearby areas...
.
Two of his brothers were also Olympic athletes: Simon Kitur
Simon Kitur
Simon Kitur is a retired Kenyan athlete who specialized in the 400 metres hurdles.He competed at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games as well as the 1987 World Championships, but without reaching the final....
and David Kitur
David Kitur
David Kitur is a retired Kenyan runner, who specialised in 400 metres.In 1983, at the inaugural world championships he was part of the Kenyan 4x400 metres relay team, which reached semifinals....
.