Filbert Bayi
From Free net encyclopedia
Filbert Bayi (born June 23, 1953) was a Tanzanian middle-distance runner of the 1970s who set the world records for 1500 metres in 1974 and the mile in 1975.
Career
Born in Arusha, Tanzania, his greatest moment was arguably the 1500 m final at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, when he won the gold medal ahead of New Zealand runners John Walker and Rod Dixon. Bayi set a new world record of 3 min 32.16 s, and Walker went under his old world record. It is still classed as one of the greatest 1500 m races of all time.
It was hoped that the Bayi-Walker clash would continue, but because Tanzania boycotted the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, it never materalised.
Bayi won a silver medal in the 3,000 m steeplechase at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. He ran 8:12.5 behind Bronislaw Malinowski.
Later life
After retirement Bayi has spent much effort in setting up the Filbert Bayi Institution which aims to guide young sporting talent in Tanzania. It is based in Mkuza, about 50 km from Dar es Salaam. The complex also aims to educate young people about HIV and AIDS, plus ways of getting out of poverty. The foundation started in 2003.