Farewell to a Sporting Icon: Olympian Rabson Murombe Dies at 79
Zimbabwe is mourning the loss of Rabson Murombe, a legendary athlete who made history as a marathon runner at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
He passed away yesterday after a long illness, leaving behind an enduring legacy in the country’s athletics scene.
Born on September 12, 1945, Murombe’s passion for running emerged at Kanchindu Mission School in Zambia, where he began competing in the 1950s.
He later joined Wankie Athletic Club, making a name for himself in Rhodesian track events.
At the 1964 Summer Olympics, he competed in the men’s marathon, finishing 56th with a time of 2 hours, 49 minutes and 30 seconds—a performance he attributed to cramps during the race.
Murombe qualified for the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, but despite a strong recommendation from coach John Cheffers, he was not selected for the final Rhodesian team.
Before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, he had clocked an impressive 2:18:53.7 in the Rhodesian Olympic marathon trials held in Bulawayo.
During the 1964 Games, Murombe and other black athletes reportedly faced segregation within the Olympic Village.
He recalled that black athletes were restricted in their movements while white teammates had full access, an experience that reflected the racial tensions of that era.
Murombe continued to dominate long-distance races after the Olympics, winning the South Africa Chamber of Mines races in 1966, the Orange Free State races in 1966 and 1970 and maintaining his competitive streak until 1974, when he placed second behind John Shaba.
ZBC reports that Murombe was a dedicated athlete who trained with Mathias Kanda at Hwange Athletics Club, frequently completing intense runs between Hwange and Victoria Falls.
His contributions to athletics were widely recognized.
In 2012, he was named an honorary member of the Kujatana Nkubotu Peace Half-Marathon in Binga and he later became the patron of the Binga Kasambabezi Marathon, inspiring young athletes across Zimbabwe.
In 2022, the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) honored him with a grinding mill, acknowledging his service to the sport and his lasting impact on Zimbabwean athletics.
