Former Olympic champion reveals how fear of poverty after retirement pushed him to go back to school

Former Olympic champion reveals how fear of poverty after retirement pushed him to go back to school

Abigael Wafula 11:03 - 16.06.2024

The former world champion has explained how the fear of poverty after retirement pushed him to pursue education despite earning millions during his prime.

Former Olympic champion Wilfred Bungei has opened up about how the fear of poverty after retirement propelled him to pursue education.

Unlike many athletes who choose not to continue with their studies after making good money from running, Bungei wanted to learn more about investment and become knowledgeable since he knew life after retirement would be different.

Speaking on the Safari na Mabingwa show hosted by comedian Obinna, the former world champion noted that education has helped him travel to different countries and offer words of advice to young people and also invest his millions in a smart manner.

He has also managed to do commentaries both inside and outside the country, thanks to his ability to articulate himself well.

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“Education was very important because with it you will be able to know how to invest. We have heard of this big story of athletics and I know most of your viewers have heard about it.

“There is a story of an athlete coming from rags to riches to rags again…lack of education and lack of how to invest money has caused this among many athletes. I was looking at how I would be able to further my life immediately after athletics, at the age of 30.

“I saw that it was important that I pursue my education…at the moment, I usually visit schools and sports academies and tell the sportsmen and women that education will be very important after retirement.

“It has brought me to be able to do so many things since I have done commentary, both in and outside the country. Most of the events happening in this country I have been able to do the commentating part and travel around the world doing motivational speaking. Education has helped me to achieve most of the things in my life,” Bungei said during the interview.

Bungei also motivated young and upcoming athletes to invest their time in education to make it easy for them during their transition to retirement. He added that, however, at the moment, many have their eyes opened and they are going back to school.

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