Naftali Temu Wins Kenya's First Olympic Gold - 10,000m | Mexico 1968 Olympics

When it comes to middle and long distance running, Kenya is currently synonymous of athletic excellence.

Watch these highlights from the Mexico 1968 Olympic Games to see the Kenyans win their first ever Olympic gold medal, courtesy of Naftali Temu in the men's 10,000m event.

It was only at the Mexico 1968 Games that Kenya won its first Olympic gold medal. And the honour came to Naftali Temu who won the Men's 10,000m in 29:27.4. Mamo Wolde from Ethiopia (29:28.0) and Tunisian athletes Mohamed Gammoudi (29:34.2) completing the podium with silver and bronze, respectively.

Kenya won a total of nine medals at the Mexico 1968 Olympics, including Kip Cheino's gold in the men's 1,500m and Naftali Temu's bronze medal in the 5,000m.

_____________________________________________________

[rachidbenyoucef]

it was the first olympic gold médal for Kenya, I saw it live when I was 17

[suzzy]

ooooh tear of joy....love my country...God bless kenya....

[SasukeisAwesome]

You guys should make a channel of athletes winning their countries' first medal/Gold medal. I LOVE seeing these videos!

[bosiboreibonkhiyah]

Oh my Lord ! why am I tearing watching this ? This is one of the greatest Omogusii men who ever lived

[MegaBrenzy]

But the saddest thing is that in Kenya heroes are forgotten as soon as they leave the track and Naphtali Temu wasn't a special case either. In 2003 he died after a long battle with prostrate cancer and a poor man having spent all his fortune trying to manage his condition. The government never came to aid him despite his contribution to the country.

[benkibet]

It was a wonderful winning. The gold medalist actually inspired young people in athletics

[NORTAMRAT]

The guy who came second is the famous Ethiopian athlete called Mamo Wolde. After some days he won the 42 km marathon in the same Olympics game and he secured the Ethiopian uninterrupted 42km Olympics victory. Off course two of them won by the legendary Abebe Bekila. But the rivalry athletics with brothers Kenyans seamed started on this 10000m. How many neck in neck 10, 000 ms has been performed between these to great athletics nations. Bless Kenyans and Ethiopians athletes. They have contributed a lion share for the sport. By the way the Sidney 10000m resembles this one.

[kelvinwise]

We need one major stadium to be named after him, he deserves an honour

[akuraoo]

This was also Kenya's first Olympic medal of any kind! R.I.P. - Naftali Temu.

[akuraoo]

5000m - Mohammed Gammoudi (gold), Kipchoge Keino (silver), Naftali Temu (bronze)
10000m - Temu (gold), Mamo Wolde (silver), Gammoudi (bronze)
Marathon - Mamo Wolde (gold)
1500m - Keino (gold)
3000m Steeplechase - Amos Biwott (gold), Ben Kogo (silver)
800m - Wison Kiprugut Chuma (silver)
4x400m - Kenya - silver (Daniel Rudisha, Munyoro Nyamau, Naftali Bon, Charles Asati)

[shaquilleoneal]

That's my grandpa, First Name Nickson Temu, Mother Nichole temu, Dad name Gibson temu, Sister name, Noelle temu.

[judyobong-ndanema]

Why is he not mentioned in Kenyan history quite a dishonor to our athletes. RIP sir, you made us proud and still doing that in 2021 over 50 years ago.

[y.g.mwangi]

The beginning of the legend. Beautiful.

[EfrainMcshell]

i was 7 years old... that was my neighborhood a beautiful neighborhood then in those years. i grew up there.

[Yodaismycopilot]

Why isn't there more excellent quality video like this of older Olympics on youtube? This is terrific.

[EthioChrisy]

Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia is second to win the Silver! A week before this race Mamo won an Olympic Gold medal. He is the first and only athlete to compete in both long distance races. He almost won this 10k too. What an endurance he had. RIP our Ethiopian hero!

[hero]

Right at the beginning standing behind the field is Ron Hill (no. 404) who seemed to hesitate when the others started, he finished 7th but really came into his own over the next few years as a marathon runner.

[degreeO]

I remember watching this event as a small child. I was amazed by the fact that the leaders were lapping many of the other runners. It was a revelation to see that vast differences in achievement could still exist even amongst the world's two dozen best 10000m runners. It is strange now to look back. I remember Naftali Temu's 1968 win with greater clarity than Neil Armstrong's moon landing the following year. I eventually became a good high school and then, to be generous, a passable university distance runner at the ncaa division 1 level before leaving track behind to focus on academics. My very charismatic high school coach once gave me a copy of Ron Clarke's autobiography. In my coach's eyes, I had it within me to be just like the great Australian former world record holder! I certainly read Clarke's life story with interest. But in my mind, another pattern had already been set. My roots are Caribbean. Most people, especially Africans, think that I am from one of the East African nations. But the pattern was actually set by an ineffable something about the 1968 Olympic 10000m race.

[Basweti]

I Come from the Land of the first Kenyan Olympic gold. Abagusii More igaaa!!!

[KathiaRosalbaArreolaMurillo]

Viva Juan Máximo para correr así, hay que tener una disciplina y una valentía y corazón admirable.