In Part 1 of this two-part series, we explore the meteoric rise of Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, the Kenyan long-distance runner whose rare talent catapulted him into the global spotlight.

From humble beginnings in Nyahururu to shattering Olympic records in Beijing at just 22, Samuel seemed destined for greatness until the pressures of sudden fame, his personal struggles, and turbulent lifestyle began to cast long shadows on his bright future. 

CREDITS -

Cover Art:

F.Nur, PitchR Media

Editing/Production:

F. Nur, PitchR Media

Theme Song:

"Dunia Ina Mambo" by Just A Band (original song by The Mighty Cavaliers)

REFERENCES -

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Wanjiru
2. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/samuel-wanjiru
3. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13414257
4. https://ntvkenya.co.ke/news/inquest-into-death-of-athlete-samuel-wanjiru-rules-out-murder-suicide/
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/sports/sammy-wanjiru-marathon-champion-is-dead-at-24.html
6. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001412215/the-death-of-a-god
7. https://www.pulsesports.co.ke/athletics/story/samuel-wanjiru-kenyan-marathon-icon-whose-legacy-lives-on-13-years-since-his-untimely-demise-2024051723031165432
8. https://grantland.com/features/anna-clark-mysterious-death-sammy-wanjiru/
9. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12095635
10. https://www.worldmarathonmajors.com/content-hub/world-marathon-majors-press-release-and-tribute-to-sammy-wanjiru
11. https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/lessons-be-learned-death-samuel-wanjiru
12. https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/sports/marathon-champion-dies-in-fall-from-balcony.html
13. https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/athletics/10-years-later-athlete-samuel-wanjiru-s-family-focuses-on-inquest--3402754
14. https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/athletics/court-told-the-late-samuel-wanjiru-was-hit-with-blunt-object-3268962
15. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/may/16/sammy-wanjiru-obituary
16. https://www.france24.com/en/20080824-kenyas-wanjiru-breaks-olympic-marathon-record-beijing-2008-marathon
17. https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/fresh-claim-on-samuel-wanjiru-s-estate--2004184 
18. https://sportshistoryke.home.blog/2019/10/13/the-sad-story-of-samuel-wanjiru/
19. https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/athletics-kenyas-samuel-wanjiru-killed-not-suicide-pathologist
20. https://www.kenyaforum.net/investigative/samuel-wanjiru-was-killed-pathologist-attests/
21. Channel 5 Chicago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqGgp8teqrw 
22. Citizen TV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s28kVxQYnTI
23. Nation Media https://nation.africa/kenya/sports/athletics/my-life-with-star-wanjiru--769492
24. Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Wacera_Ngugi
25. CNN https://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/12/30/olympic.champion.wanjiru.arrested/index.html