dateline: 17 May 2011
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Kenya’s Marathon Star Falls to His Death
Pre-Listening Vocabulary
- affectionately: with love and admiration
- balcony: an enclosed platform surrounded by a railing
- possess: to have or to own
- suicidal: related to the killing of one’s own self on purpose
- fame: the state of being known by many people; often comes with great wealth
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Kenya’s Marathon Star Falls to his DeathOlympic champion and record setter Samuel Wanjiru, known affectionately around the world as “Sammy,” has died. Police says the 24-year-old marathon runner fell from a first-floor balcony at his home near . Whether or not the death was accidental is unknown. The marathon champion was recently accused of illegally possessing a and threatening to kill his wife, and was due in court on May 23rd. His , Federico Rosa, refuses to believe Sammy’s death could have been suicidal. After hearing the news, he told that “the world has lost the greatest runner in living history.” Wanjiru will be remembered for his record-setting gold medal win for at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.Comprehension Questions
- What did people who loved this runner call him?
- Where did the athlete die?
- What will Sammy be remembered for?
Discussion Question: While the cause of death is uncertain, it was clear that Sammy was having personal problems related to his fame. What can society do to help young athletes deal with financial and social issues related to sudden fame?
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Kenya’s Marathon Star Falls to his Death
Olympic champion and record setter Samuel Wanjiru, known affectionately around the world as “Sammy,” has died. Police says the 24-year-old marathon runner fell from a first-floor balcony at his home near Nairobi. Whether or not the death was accidental is unknown. The marathon champion was recently accused of illegally possessing a firearm and threatening to kill his wife, and was due in court on May 23rd. His agent, Federico Rosa, refuses to believe Sammy’s death could have been suicidal. After hearing the news, he told reporters that “the world has lost the greatest runner in living history.” Wanjiru will be remembered for his record setting gold medal win for Kenya at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
- People who loved this runner called him “Sammy”.
- The athlete died just outside his home in Nairobi.
- The runner will be remembered for setting a record and winning gold for Kenya at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
