Bring About Peace Through Sport (VIDEO)
Champion runner Tegla Loroupe on how sports can bring people together
About Tegla Loroupe
Long-distance track and road runner and global spokeswoman for peace, women's rights, and education, Tegla Chepkite Loroupe is among the legends of sport. The three-time world half-marathon champion and two-time world marathon record holder, also holds other national and international titles in long-distance running. Ambassador Dr. Tegla Loroupe was nominated by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in the world fair play award in recognition to her role in campaigning for peace, women’s rights and education.
She founded The Tegla Loroupe Foundation in 2003 to promote peace through sports and development in the greater Horn of Africa region.
In 1998, when Tegla broke Ingrid Kristiansen’s 13-year world marathon record, she said that by a mile, “the best important, longest but also most beautiful marathon is the one I have embarked on. A race to stop the vicious tribal warfare in the warring communities of the Greater Horn of Africa.”
Tegla has also won numerous other awards, including: BIDCO’s Pure & Natural Awards for exceptional sport achievements plus outstanding ambassadorial roles for peace and women's rights; Heroes Awards from the Government of Kenya; TheWIFTS Foundation Visionary Dove Peace Award; and the Milele Lifetime Achievement Award by Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. She is also the recipient of an Honourary Doctorate of Science on Peace and Conflict Studies (Honoris Causa) – Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology.
