Ben Jipcho

Ben Jipcho (born March 1, 1943) is a former athlete from Kenya, who won the silver medal in the 3.000 metres Steeplechase at the 1972 Summer Olympics, behind his teammate Kipchoge Keino.

Jipcho won 5.000 metres race in the 1973 All-Africa Games. He also won the golden medal in the 5000 metres and 3000 metres Steeplechase, and the bronze medal in the 1500 metres at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Jipcho may be as well-known for his role in Keino's victory over Jim Ryun in the high altitude 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City as for his own athletic accomplishments. Sacrificing his own chances for a medal to team tactics, he pulled Keino through a 56 second first 400 meters before being passed by his teammate with 800 meters to go and drifting back into the pack. By that point, Keino had established a lead of 20 meters or more, which Ryun's famous finshing speed could not erase.

References

*iaaf name|id=198330