SDSC | News

A Sharing Session with Blind Kenyan runner, Henry Wanyoike

Monday 4 December 2006, 6:45pm - 9:00pm, Gold Room, Singapore Sports Council, National Stadium
Jointly organised by Singapore Disability Sports Council and Standard Chartered Bank.

Henry Wanyoike is an Olympic gold medalist and a world track champion. He is one of the most successful and highest-achieving athletes to have emerged from Kenyan soil over the last decade. More amazingly, Henry lost his sight since April 2005. It devastated him to realize that he will no longer be able to see anything again since that fateful evening. (Left to right : Joseph Kibunja and Henry Wanyoike)

Most would have given up, but not Henry Wanyoike. He continued to pursue his sporting interest. Running with a sighted guide, Henry went on to win a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the 5,000 metres race for the visually-impaired. He became the first African to ever win an Olympic gold medal in that category. In the Boston Marathon, Henry finished 32nd overall but 1st in the visually-impaired category. His time of 2:33:20 still stands as the world record for blind runners.

Other than an elite sportsman, Henry makes an effort to counsel the newly blind and their relatives at the PCEA Kikuyu Hospital Eye Unit in his neighbourhood when he has time to spare. Knitting pullovers and other clothing, using skills he acquired at the Machakos Technical Training Institute for the Blind, about 70 km east of Nairobi. Married with one child, this brave young man is living life fully as he can in the circumstances and leaving world records shattered in his wake.

He is also the Goodwill Ambassador for Standard Chartered Bank’s Seeing is Believing global initiative, which aims to raise funds for one million sight restorations. Henry Wanyoike is an inspiration to us all.

Come on down to meet Henry Wanyoike in-person together with his guide and childhood friend, Joseph Kibunja Gachui. They will be sharing with us their experiences. Join us to be inspired by the determination and strength these athletes possess.

Date: Monday, 4 December 2006
Time: 6:45pm - 9:00pm
Venue: Gold Room, Singapore Sports Council Gate 1, 15 Stadium Road,National Stadium
Parking: Carpark A
Registration fee: FREE
Notes:

1. Light refreshments will be provided after the session
2. Cab fares to the venue will be reimbursed **
3. Please contact Aldran at 6342 3503 to confirm the attendance of your organisation/association members.
4. Please provide the names of the persons attending (Including caregivers), contact number, residential address and type of disability (if any) when registering.

More on Henry Wanyoike can be found here:
1. www.standardchartered.com/global/minisites/countryspecial/ke/article1.html
2. www.henry4gold.com
3. www.thegreatestraceonearth.com/mediacentre_news050817.html

If you have any further queries, do not hesititate to contact us. Thank you for your attention and co-operation.

** Only applies to athletes. Please retain your cab receipt.

Please kindly confirm your attendance by by Friday, 1 December 2006, 3pm as there are limited seats available, with

Aldran Wong
Corporate Communications Officer
Singapore Disability Sports Council
Tel: 63423503 Fax: 63420961
http://www.sdsc.org.sg