Mike Boit
Encyclopedia
Mike Boit (Michael Kipsubut Boit; (born 1 June 1949) is a Kenya
n former middle distance athlete whose career spanned fifteen years. He is presently a professor at Kenyatta University
in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science.
in Iten
in 1969, a school well known for having produced such world class distance runners as Matthew Birir
, Wilson Kipketer
, Japheth Kimutai
and many others. Boit received a Diploma from Kenyatta College (now Kenyatta University) in 1972, a Bachelors Degree from Eastern New Mexico University
in 1976, two Masters Degrees from Stanford University
in 1977 and 1978, and a Doctoral of Education Degree from the University of Oregon
in 1986.
as a full time faculty member in 1987. From 1990 to 1997, Boit took leave of his position at the University to work as the Kenya Commissioner of Sports; Boit returned to Kenyatta University in 1998.
During the 1990s, Boit also stayed active in the athletic community as member of the IAAF Athletes Commission from 1989 to 1999 and the Special Olympics
from 1992-1995.
, in a race better known for the last-to-first comeback kick by US Olympian Dave Wottle
. Boit also earned a fourth place finish in the 1500 metres behind fellow legendary Kenyan runner Kipchoge Keino
.
A Kenya boycott of the 1976 Montreal Olympics
and 1980 Moscow Olympics
denied Boit a second chance for Olympic glory. Boit however remained one of the world’s top middle distance runners throughout 1970s winning the 800 metres silver medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and a silver medal at the 1977 World Cup of Athletics in a much anticipated face-off against the 1976 Olympic gold medalist Alberto Juantorena
of Cuba
. He finished 2nd at the 1977 IAAF World Cup
800 metres race.
Boit went on to win the gold at the 1978 Commonwealth Games
and a bronze in the 1500 metres at the 1982 Commonwealth Games
. He won the 1500 metres at the 1st African Championships
in 1979. In Sebastian Coe's record breaking Summer of 81 Boit could often be seen lurking at Coe's shoulder in 1500 metre and mile races, pushing him all the way to the line as the records tumbled. Boit ended his athletic career in 1990 breaking the Masters Division Indoor World Record for the mile in Meadowlands
, New Jersey
.
, who became first Kenyan to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n former middle distance athlete whose career spanned fifteen years. He is presently a professor at Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University
Kenyatta University, located in Nairobi, Kenya is the second largest public university in the country . The University is located in Kahawa, about from Nairobi's city centre, along the Nairobi-Thika road.- History :...
in the Department of Exercise and Sports Science.
Education
Boit graduated from St. Patrick's High SchoolSt. Patrick's High School
St. Patrick High School, St. Patrick's High School and other variants may refer to:In Canada:*St. Patrick's High School in Halifax, Nova Scotia*St. Patrick's High School in Ottawa, Ontario...
in Iten
Iten
Iten is a town in Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It is located along the road between Eldoret and Kabarnet. Elgeyo escarpment and Kerio River are located east of Iten. The town has a population of 4000 ....
in 1969, a school well known for having produced such world class distance runners as Matthew Birir
Matthew Birir
Matthew Kiprotich Birir is a former athlete from Kenya, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Born in Eldama Ravine, Matthew Birir started running, when he attended at the famous St. Patrick's High School in Iten, where many great Kenyan runners are rosen.At the Barcelona...
, Wilson Kipketer
Wilson Kipketer
Wilson Kosgei Kipketer is a Kenyan born Danish former middle distance runner. He holds the current indoor world records at the 1000 and 800 metres distance. While dominating the 800 m distance for a decade, remaining undefeated for a three-year period and running 8 of the 17 currently all-time...
, Japheth Kimutai
Japheth Kimutai
Japheth Kimutai is a Kenyan middle distance runner who specialized in 800 metres.In 1998 he won the gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games in a time of 1:43.82. In the same year he won the African Championships 800 metres in Dakar, Senegal...
and many others. Boit received a Diploma from Kenyatta College (now Kenyatta University) in 1972, a Bachelors Degree from Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
in 1976, two Masters Degrees from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1977 and 1978, and a Doctoral of Education Degree from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1986.
Professional career
Boit joined the Kenyatta UniversityKenyatta University
Kenyatta University, located in Nairobi, Kenya is the second largest public university in the country . The University is located in Kahawa, about from Nairobi's city centre, along the Nairobi-Thika road.- History :...
as a full time faculty member in 1987. From 1990 to 1997, Boit took leave of his position at the University to work as the Kenya Commissioner of Sports; Boit returned to Kenyatta University in 1998.
During the 1990s, Boit also stayed active in the athletic community as member of the IAAF Athletes Commission from 1989 to 1999 and the Special Olympics
Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
from 1992-1995.
Athletics career
Representing St. Patrick's - Iten, Boit won the Kenya national high school title in the 800 metres in 1969. He later went on to win the 800 metres bronze medal at the 1972 Munich OlympicsAthletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics - Men's 800 metres
The men's 800 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany took place on September 2, 1972.-Summary:The race went out very quickly for the first 200 m, with the two Kenyans, Boit and Ouko, pushing the pace...
, in a race better known for the last-to-first comeback kick by US Olympian Dave Wottle
Dave Wottle
David James Wottle is a former American athlete. He is the winner of the 800 meter run at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He is perhaps, however, best known for wearing a golf cap while running....
. Boit also earned a fourth place finish in the 1500 metres behind fellow legendary Kenyan runner Kipchoge Keino
Kipchoge Keino
Kipchoge Keino , chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee , is a retired Kenyan track and field athlete and two-time Olympic gold medalist...
.
A Kenya boycott of the 1976 Montreal Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
and 1980 Moscow Olympics
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
denied Boit a second chance for Olympic glory. Boit however remained one of the world’s top middle distance runners throughout 1970s winning the 800 metres silver medal at the 1974 Commonwealth Games and a silver medal at the 1977 World Cup of Athletics in a much anticipated face-off against the 1976 Olympic gold medalist Alberto Juantorena
Alberto Juantorena
Alberto Juantorena Danger is a Cuban former track athlete. At the 1976 Summer Olympics, he became the first and so far only athlete to win both the 400 and 800 m Olympic titles....
of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. He finished 2nd at the 1977 IAAF World Cup
1977 IAAF World Cup
The 1st IAAF World Cup in Athletics was an international track and field sporting event sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations, held on September 2–4, 1977, at the Rheinstadion in Düsseldorf, West Germany.-Men:|width="50"| ...
800 metres race.
Boit went on to win the gold at the 1978 Commonwealth Games
1978 Commonwealth Games
The 1978 Commonwealth Games were held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, from 3 to 12 August 1978, two years after the 1976 Summer Olympics were held in Montreal, Quebec...
and a bronze in the 1500 metres at the 1982 Commonwealth Games
1982 Commonwealth Games
The 1982 Commonwealth Games were held in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 30 September–9 October 1982. The Opening Ceremony was held at the QEII Stadium , in the Brisbane suburb of Nathan. The QEII Stadium was also the venue which was used for the athletics and archery competitions during the...
. He won the 1500 metres at the 1st African Championships
1979 African Championships in Athletics
The 1979 African Championships in Athletics were held in the Stade Demba Diop in Dakar, Senegal. There were a total number of 251 competitors from 24 countries, with 23 men's and 16 women's events.-Men's events:-Women's events:-Medal table:...
in 1979. In Sebastian Coe's record breaking Summer of 81 Boit could often be seen lurking at Coe's shoulder in 1500 metre and mile races, pushing him all the way to the line as the records tumbled. Boit ended his athletic career in 1990 breaking the Masters Division Indoor World Record for the mile in Meadowlands
Meadowlands Sports Complex
The MetLife Sports Complex is a sports and entertainment facility located in East Rutherford, Bergen County, New Jersey, United States, owned and operated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
.
Achievements
| Representing | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | African Championships 1979 African Championships in Athletics The 1979 African Championships in Athletics were held in the Stade Demba Diop in Dakar, Senegal. There were a total number of 251 competitors from 24 countries, with 23 men's and 16 women's events.-Men's events:-Women's events:-Medal table:... |
Dakar, Senegal | 1st | 1500 m | 3:39.9 |
Personal bests
- 800 m – 1:43.57 (1976)
- 1000 m – 2:15.30 (1977)
- 1500 m – 3:33.67 (1981)
- mile - 3:49.45 (1981)
Personal life
He is an uncle to Philip BoitPhilip Boit
Philip Kimely Boit is a cross-county skier and the first Kenyan to participate in the Winter Olympics. His first name is sometimes spelled as "Phillip"....
, who became first Kenyan to compete in the Winter Olympics.