The Nation (Nairobi)
January 25, 2003

Pioneer Running Hero Back Home
Peter Njenga, Nairobi

Seraphino Antao is back home. He is the man whose name in Kenya's athletics history was once as big as that of Olympic hero, Kipchoge Keino.

But after Antao left Kenya in 1963 to return only once in 1968, he has been away from the land of his birth for 36 years. But to a huge Kenya populace his name is engraved in nostalgic history.
Modern Kenyan generation would be shocked to hear that one of their own once ruled in the sprint races, these days only associated with the likes of Dwain Chambers of England, Donovan Bailey of Canada, scores of Nigerians and Jamaicans.

In 1962, Antao, born and brought up at Makadara Estate, Mombasa, was the supreme sprinter in the whole of the Commonwealth. At the the then Empire Games in Perth, Australia, Antao won the 110 yards and 220 yards golden double. He remains the only Kenyan to have ever won gold in the short sprints at any world level.

Antao, at his own expense, arrived in the country yesterday from his current home in London, England, to attend Athletics Kenya's 50th anniversary celebrations today.

The 66-year-old, passionately said: "We (Kenyans) might be out there for a long time but in our hearts, this remains home"

"Gazelle" as he was fondly known as a youth in Mombasa, retired from his London job over 12 years ago after working as an accounts assistant with the giant electronic firm, Thorn Emi. He looks surprisingly young and fit for his age while his Kiswahili is distinctively Coastal.

"Mimi mtu wa Mombasa bwana (I am from Mombasa)," he said animatedly. He trains three times a week to keep fit but generally stays at home or visits friends of East African origin to talk about Kenya, people and sports.

"I am so shocked that I don't know where I am," he said at the suburb Safari Park Hotel where he is booked as a VIP guest by Athletics Kenya. "Nairobi is very big and crowded. I am really enjoying my stay, especially the sunshine.

"I can't wait to meet my friends like Nyantika Maiyoro, Kanuti Sum and Kipchoge. I also want to return to Mombasa before going back to the UK next Friday."

Antao learnt of the celebrations through the Nation website after being alerted by a friend that AK announced it will honour pioneer athletes and all others who won medals at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and world championships.

He got in touch with the Kenyan association for confirmation before he booked his ticket on Tuesday and arrived yesterday aboard a Kenya Airways flight from London.

Seraphino Antao, the first Kenyan to win a medal for the country has called for the establishment of a trust fund to support retired athletes.

The 66- year-old Antao arrived in the country yesterday morning from his London base after being away for 40 years. He will be honoured in today's 50th anniversary celebrations of Athletics Kenya.

Antao regretted that retired athletes have been left to suffer saying only the establishment of a trust will reverse the trend.

He said he was quite shocked by the news of the illness of another veteran athlete, Naftali Temu, who is admitted at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

"The government should set up a fund to assist retired athletes just like the British Boxing Association has done," he said.

Going down memory lane, Antao said the sport has changed tremendously from the days in terms of practise and competition.

Antao first competed in the commonwealth games in 1958 in what he says was a learning experience for him. Two years later he reached the semi-finals in the Olympic games.

His moment of glory came in 1962 when he won two gold medals in the 100m and 200m events in the Commonwealth Games held in Australia.

Meanwhile, the ceremony to honour the 460 athletes who have won medals at the Commonwealth, Olympic and IAAF organised meetings at Riadha House will start at 9a.m.

Sports Minister, Najib Balala, will be the chief guest.

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