Kenyan Marathon World Record-holder Kiptum Killed In Car Crash
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published February 12, 2024 | 11:10 AM
Nairobi, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 12th Feb, 2024) Tributes flowed on Monday for Kenyan running sensation Kelvin Kiptum after the marathon world record-holder was killed in a car crash at the age of 24 in his home country.
The favourite for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics was driving from Kaptagat to Eldoret in western Kenya around 11 pm (2000 GMT) on Sunday when his car rolled.
Kiptum and his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana were killed while a woman passenger was injured, said Peter Mulinge, police commander for Elgeyo Marakwet County where the accident occurred.
"The car had three occupants, two died on the spot, while one was taken to hospital. The two are Kiptum and his coach," he said.
"It is Kiptum who was driving heading to Eldoret and the vehicle lost control and rolled, killing the two on the spot," he told reporters.
Kiptum exploded onto the marathon scene when he ran a world record 2:00:35 in Chicago in October, taking 34 seconds off fellow Kenyan star Eliud Kipchoge's previous record.
He was just 23 years old at the time, and competing in only his third marathon.
Kiptum also won his other two efforts -- his debut in Valencia in 2022 and a follow-up in London the following year.
"Arguably one of the world's finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record," Kenyan President William Ruto said on X, describing Kiptum as "our future" and "an extraordinary sportsman".
From herding goats just a decade ago, Kiptum had announced he would attempt in April to become the first man to run an official marathon under the mythic two-hour mark.
World Athletics said his debut was the fastest in history and mourned the loss of "one of the most exciting new prospects to emerge in road running in recent years".
"We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana," World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a statement.
"On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
"
Coe said only last week he had been in Chicago to officially ratify Kiptum's historic time.
"An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly."
Kiptum and compatriot Kipchoge were anticipated to run together for the first time this summer at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
"With the Olympics just days away, we mourn the untimely departure of a promising talent," President of Kenya's National Olympic Committee Paul Tergat said in a statement on X.
"Kelvin's recent ratified record in Chicago showcased his potential for a bright future, representing the next generation of Olympic greatness."
Kenyan two-time Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha described his death as a "huge loss".
Kiptum hailed from Chepkorio, a village in the Rift Valley that is the heartland of Kenyan distance running, and where ultimately his death occurred.
Ten years ago, barely a teen, he herded goats and sheep and then began following Hakizimana, who is from Rwanda, and other runners as they trained in the legendary high-altitude region.
By 2019, Kiptum ran two half-marathons in two weeks, going 60:48 in Copenhagen and 59:53 in Belfort, France. He began training with Hakizimana, who stayed in Kenya when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
Kiptum's death is the latest in a saga of tragedies to hit Kenya's young athletics hopefuls.
In 2011, Kenyan marathon great Samuel Wanjiru died at the same age after capturing the Olympic title in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics.
According to a pathologist, Wanjiru was killed from being hit on the head with a blunt object.
In 2021, long-distance running star Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death at the age of 25 at her house in Iten, near Eldoret.
Her husband Ibrahim Rotich went on trial for her murder in November last year. He has denied the charge and was freed on bail just before the trial opened.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Statement of Engro Corporation - LNG Case Decision
Wasim Akram touches fans’ hearts by new look
Empowering women for employment is the need of hour, says Sadaffe Abid
Global study reveals Pakistan’s inadequate measures against Tobacco Industry
Co-Working Center launched in Okara under PITB’s e-Earn program
BHC judges recommend legal action over agencies interference into judicial matte ..
Third Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies today
Mahira Khan delights at Arijit Singh’s concert in Dubai
Dubai Customs Celebrates World Intellectual Property Day, Honors Schools and Uni ..
Vivo Reveals Durefishan Saleem as Brand Ambassador for its Upcoming Y100 Smartph ..
FIA investigates alleged irregularities in tickets’ sale for PSL, int’l matc ..
IMF approves $1.1b final tranche for Pakistan
More Stories From World
-
No more dirty diesel for Paris Olympic sites
3 minutes ago -
Pakistan's youth delegation visits Xinjiang, China
13 minutes ago -
'Persepolis' author wins top Spanish prize
13 minutes ago -
White House says Columbia protesters' building seizure 'wrong approach'
13 minutes ago -
Beef industry ignites rural revitalization in Yangxin of China's Shandong province
33 minutes ago -
US panel recommends all women receive breast cancer screening from 40
33 minutes ago
-
European satellite giant SES to buy US rival Intelsat
53 minutes ago -
Former England cricketer Panesar to stand for election
53 minutes ago -
Macron urges Rwanda to end support for DR Congo rebels, withdraw troops
1 hour ago -
Changpeng Zhao, the 'normal guy' who conquered crypto
1 hour ago -
Top French university loses funding over pro-Palestinian protests
1 hour ago -
G7 agrees to phase out coal-fired power plants by mid-2030s
1 hour ago