Kelvin Kiptum, a world record holder in marathon running, was killed in a car crash along with his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. Kiptum will be buried in his hometown of Chepkorio in Kenya on February 24.
The Kenyan sports ministry will oversee the burial arrangements in consultation with the family. Kiptum was honored as a national hero by Kenya’s parliament, and the investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
Kiptum gained fame after breaking the marathon world record in Chicago last year. He was known for his exceptional talent and had won elite races in Valencia and London. His coach, who was from Rwanda, will be buried at a later date.
Following Kiptum’s death, Kenyan lawmakers held a minute of silence and called for better support and protection for the country’s athletes.
Kiptum’s death shocked the nation and the athletics community, with his rival Eliud Kipchoge leading tributes to the “rising star.” Kiptum was considered a favorite for the marathon gold at the Paris Olympics later this year.
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Lawmakers called for a thorough investigation into the crash and better security for athletes. They emphasized the need for the Ministry of Sports to take athletes seriously and provide them with proper support.
The governor of Uasin Gishu county, where Eldoret, a high-altitude training hub, is located, also called for a full probe into the accident.
Kiptum’s death is the latest tragedy to hit Kenyan athletes, following the deaths of Samuel Wanjiru in 2011 and Agnes Tirop in 2021.
The sporting community, world officials, and Kenyan leaders have paid tribute to Kiptum, recognizing his incredible athletic achievements and legacy.
Three men have been arrested by the police for allegedly visiting the home of Kelvin Kiptum, a world marathon record holder, a few days before his tragic accident.
The suspects, whose identities have not been revealed, were initially held at Kaptagat Police Station and later transferred to Iten for further questioning.
The detectives in Elgeyo Marakwet County are interrogating the three individuals to determine the purpose of their visit, as Kiptum’s father raised concerns about their presence after his son’s death in a road accident.
Kiptum’s father had mentioned that four strangers had visited their home in Chepsamo village, and he demanded an investigation into their identities as they did not properly introduce themselves.
The three men were positively identified by Kiptum’s father at the police station, and the vehicle they were using has been impounded.
The police are trying to gather more information about the visit and any possible connection it may have to Kiptum’s accident. The investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are working to uncover any potential leads or motives behind the incident.
