Lucas Sang facts for kids

Lucas Sang (born February 12, 1961 – died January 1, 2008) was a talented athlete from Kenya. He was known for his speed on the track and represented his country in major international competitions.

Lucas Sang: A Kenyan Running Star

Lucas Sang was an important figure in Kenyan athletics. He showed great dedication to sports, both as a runner and later as a leader in the sports community.

Racing at the Olympics

One of Lucas Sang's biggest achievements was competing in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He was part of Kenya's 4 x 400 meter relay team. This team made it all the way to the final race, finishing in eighth place. He also ran in the individual 400 meter race, but he did not advance to the semifinals.

Other Important Races

Before the Olympics, Lucas Sang competed in the 1987 All-Africa Games held in Nairobi, Kenya. He also took part in the 1998 African Championships in Athletics and the 1989 IAAF World Cup. These events helped him gain experience and show his skills on the international stage.

Changing His Running Style

Later in his career, Lucas Sang tried running longer distances, like the 800 meter race. However, Kenya had many strong middle-distance runners at that time, which made it hard for him to stand out. He then became well-known as a pacesetter. A pacesetter is a runner who helps other athletes achieve fast times by setting a strong, steady speed during a race. He helped both Kenyan and international runners. Lucas Sang was also part of the Kenyan Armed Forces athletics team.

Life After Running

After he stopped competing, Lucas Sang became a successful farmer. He owned a large farm in Moiben, located in the Uasin Gishu District of Kenya. He also worked with Moses Tanui, a famous Kenyan runner who was a world champion in the 10,000 meter race.

Lucas Sang was also involved in managing sports. He became the chairman of the National Association of Kenyan Olympians (NAKO). This group helps support Kenyan athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games.

His Legacy

Lucas Sang passed away in 2008. He died while traveling to his home near Kabenes. His death happened during a difficult time of unrest in Kenya after the country's presidential elections in December 2007. Lucas Sang is remembered as a dedicated athlete and a leader who continued to support sports even after his own running career ended.