Kelvin Kiptum: World marathon report holder dies in crash
World marathon report holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died in a street accident in western Kenya on Sunday, former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga mentioned on social media platform X, previously referred to as Twitter.
According to police, the automotive was on its solution to Eldoret, a metropolis in western Kenya, when the accident occurred.
“The accident happened at around 11 p.m. (2000 GMT). The car had three occupants, two died on the spot while one was taken to the hospital. The two are Kiptum and his coach,” mentioned Peter Mulinge, police commander for Elgeyo Marakwet County in western Kenya.
‘Kenya has misplaced a particular gem’
The sports activities world was saddened by Kiptum’s loss of life, with the Boston and London marathons posting condolences on social media.
Kenya’s Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba mentioned on X, “Devastatingly sickening!! Kenya has lost a special gem. Lost for words.”
“Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record,” Kenya’s President William Ruto mentioned.
“An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark in the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace,” he added.
‘Incredible athlete leaving unimaginable legacy’
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe referred to as Kiptum “an incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy.”
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe mentioned in an announcement.
“On behalf of all World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, team mates and the Kenyan nation,” he added.
The 24-year-old Kiptum set the world report on the Chicago Marathon in October with a time of two:00:35, beating the report of two:01:09 set by compatriot Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022.
At this 12 months’s Summer Olympics in Paris, Kiptum was set to satisfy Kipchoge. Kiptum was thought-about a promising candidate to develop into the primary particular person to interrupt the magic two-hour mark within the marathon beneath regular circumstances.
dh/wd (AFP, Reuters, SID)
