World athletics in shock for the death of Kenyan middle-distance runner Agnes Tirop at the age of 25, twice a bronze medalist at the World Championships in 2017 in London and in 2029 in Doha. According to local press reports, the young middle-distance runner was found dead with a stab in the abdomen at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county. Iten is a city renowned as a training base for cross-country skiers. According to Kenyan media, the police at the moment did not provide any details other than to say that they were investigating. The champion’s husband, however, would be untraceable and in the previous hours some neighbors would have heard the two arguing heavily.
“Kenya has lost a jewel,” reads a note from the Kenyan Federation. His tragic death comes just two months after the fourth place obtained at the Tokyo Olympic Games in the 5 thousand meters. Tirop’s death was confirmed by Barnaba Korir, president of Athletics Kenya in the Nairobi region. According to the Federation, the woman was stabbed by her husband. Last month, Tirop broke the world record in the 10km road race. Her career took off when she won the world cross title in 2015 at the age of 19, becoming the second youngest champion ever.