NYAHURURU, Kenya, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- World marathon champion Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was held after threatening to kill his wife and illegally possessing a firearm, Kenyan officials said.
Wanjiru allegedly threatened his wife following an argument and he appeared before Nayhururu Senior Reisent Magistrate Alice Mong'are on Wednesday, the (Nairobi) Standard reported.
Inspector John Ruto said the athlete allegedly threatened to kill his wife, Teresia Njeri, and later threatened his guard. The wife fled for her safety, and the runner then allegedly beat up his guard.
The two-time Boston marathon winner was also charged with threatening to kill their house help, Nancy Njoki, the Kenya Broadcasting Corp. reported. He was held overnight.
Wanjiru also allegedly had an AK 47 assault rifle without a firearm certificate.
Wanjiru spent a night at the Nyahururu Police Station before being released on bond.
Wanjiru won the marathon Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in an Olympic record time of 2:06:32. He later set the world record in the marathon, running 26.2 miles in 2:05:10.
