The 2nd All-Africa Games, also known as Lagos 1973, were played from 7 to 18 January 1973, in Lagos, Nigeria. After the success of the first African Games, the organizing bodies awarded the second games to Bamako, Mali to be held in 1969. A military coup disrupted the plans, and the organizers moved the Games to Lagos, Nigeria to be held in 1971. The Games were postponed once again and finally opened in January 1973. A torch was lit in Brazzaville a week before the Games and transported to Lagos as a symbol of the continuity of the Games.
Ben Jipcho, Kenya’s 3000-meter silver medalist at the Munich Olympics, tied the world record in the steeplechase with a run of 8:20.8. Tanzania’s newcomer Filbert Bayi stunned the veteran favorite Kip Keino in the 1500 meters in 3:37.18.
African nations continued to put pressure on South Africa which was not invited to participate due to their apartheid policies. Rhodesia was also not invited.
