Just Kip Keino

I found an article about a race between Marty Liquori (the second high-schooler to break four for the mile) and Kip Keino. Before the race, Marty Liquori is the epitome of focus, building up pre-race angst to unleash upon his foe, and tosses a few acidic competitive quips about Keino at the interviewer. Kip Keino, on the other hand, is checking out Philadelphia, having the time of his life, and tells the interviewer, essentially, "whatever happens, happens."

Liquori was famous for his competitive drive, his Jersey-boy toughness, and his monster workouts. Keino was famous for his massive mid-race grins, his almost-Buddhist contentment, and his comparatively light workouts (supplemented by the twenty-or-so kilometers he ran each day to commute to work).

Keino lost that race, he even pulled up in the last fifty meters (enraging Liquori), but it's very, very clear that he enjoyed the race, his time in Philadelphia, and, really, his career far more than his opponent. He also won far more Olympic medals, which-- I think-- speaks volumes for having a joyful approach to the sport. This comic isn't really about that, but it's fun, and I think Kip Keino would enjoy it.