Mike Boit

Mike Boit was one of the world’s top middle-distance runners in the 1970s. He ran at the 1972 München Olympics where he won a bronze medal in the 800, but later missed the 1976 and 1980 Olympics due to African boycotts. Boit was a three-time medalist at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in the 800 in 1978. He attended school in the United States at Eastern New Mexico State University, winning seven NAIA titles from 1973-76 in the 880 yds, mile, and 3-miles. Boit ran a much anticipated race in 1977 at the inaugural World Cup when he finished second to Cuba’s 1976 Olympic 400/800 champion Alberto Juantorena.

Boit went into academics, becoming a professor of recreation management and exercise science at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. His awards are numerous. In 2001 he became chairman of the department of exercise and sport science at Kenyatta. In 1989 he chaired the organizing committee for the first Inter-University Games held at Kenyatta University.

Boit is a member of the Eastern New Mexico State Hall of Honor, inducted in 1984; the National Associations of Intercollegiate Athleics (NAIA) Hall of Fame (1982); and the Drake Relays Hall of Fame, inducted in 1981. He is an Honorary Life Member of the Kenya Athletic Federation, an Honorary Life Members of the Zürich Association for major track & field events; and in 1995 he was inducted into the Order of the Grand Warrior of Kenya. In 1996 Boit was honored by Special Olympics International for his contributions as a member of their rules committee.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:43.57 (1976); 1500 – 3:33.67 (1981).