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Olympic Marathon Champ Commits Suicide

Sammy Wanjiru jumps after wife finds him with another woman

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted May 16, 2011 2:58 AM CDT | Updated May 16, 2011 5:49 AM CDT

(Newser) – Kenyan Olympic marathon gold medalist Sammy Wanjiru leaped to his death from the balcony of his apartment following a heated argument with his wife, authorities said. Wanjiru, 24, had been drinking when his wife found him with another woman in their home in Nyahururu, said police. Efforts to revive him on the scene failed, authorities said. Police are continuing to question both women about events leading up to the tragedy, reports the BBC.

The marathoner had a history of domestic problems, reports AP. Last year he was charged with wounding a bodyguard with a rifle and threatening to kill his wife. At the Beijing games Wanjiru became the first Kenyan to win a gold medal in a marathon, finishing in an Olympic-record 2 hours, 6 minutes, 32 seconds.. "Incredibly sad news about Sammy," tweeted American marathoner Ryan Hall. "I am shocked and saddened."

Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru celebrates winning the gold during the men's marathon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru celebrates winning the gold during the men's marathon at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.   (AP Photo/David J. Phillip/file)
Sammy Wanjiru cools off after winning the Chicago Marathon last year.
Sammy Wanjiru cools off after winning the Chicago Marathon last year.   (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru celebrates after winning the men's London Marathon in London in 2009. He leaped to his death today following an argument with his wife.
Kenya's Sammy Wanjiru celebrates after winning the men's London Marathon in London in 2009. He leaped to his death today following an argument with his wife.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Tis_I
May 16, 2011 11:54 AM CDT
 RIP
DavoMax
May 16, 2011 11:35 AM CDT
"he believed he could fly" ...and the wife and mistress shoved his ass to help him prove it.
Mad
May 16, 2011 9:54 AM CDT
C'mon Newers... If he killed himself, he is now a HERO, right?
 

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