The death is confirmed by The Kenyan Athletics Federationwhich is deeply affected by Kiptum’s passing.
– It’s a shock that someone blessed by God runs like it’s gone, says NRK’s athletics commentator Jann Post.
The athletics star was married to Asenath Rotich. Together they had two children, Caleb and Precious.
The world record Kiptum set in Chicago last October is 2.00.35. Thus, he was considered the strongest candidate to be the first under the dream limit of two hours in the marathon.
He won’t be.
– I would say that the world record is one of the most extreme when it comes to sporting achievements, and for an athlete to pass away like that is just sad, says Post and adds:
– Everyone saw him as the best candidate to run under two hours in an ordinary marathon.
The president of the International Athletics Federation Sebastian Coe is in mourning.
– We are shocked and very sad after hearing about the tragic death. On behalf of World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation,” Coe wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
– He was a fantastic performer who leaves an incredible legacy and legacy. We will miss him deeply.
PRESIDENT: Sebastian Coe of the International Association of Athletics Federations.
Photo: AP
Kenya mourns: – Terrible news
Sunday evening reports a number Kenyan media that the 24-year-old died together with his coach in what is referred to as a road accident along the highway between Eldoret and Kapgat.
Kiptum’s coach, Garvais Hakizimana, is also said to have died in the accident.
– The accident happened around eleven o’clock. There were three people in the car. Two died on the spot, while one was taken to hospital, Peter Mulinge of the local police told Capital Sports, according to capitalfm.co.ke.
COACH AND STUDENT: Kiptum and Hakizimana.
Photo: AFP
Several Kenyan media write that the family confirms the death, and that Kiptum himself must have been the driver of the car.
– Terrible news. We mourn the loss of an incredible human being. World record holder and an athletics icon, writes Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Twitter.
– Heartbreaking, writes the American sprinter Kenny Bednarek.
The Olympic duel that never came
The Kenyan became the first man to run a record-breaking marathon in under 2 hours and one minute.
In 2023, he won the World Athlete of the Year award in the category for achievements outside a stadium. The prize was awarded by the International Athletics Federation (World Athletics).
– He ran the last half in under an hour, both in London when he set the track record in April, and when he set the world record. He ran practically without a hare from five kilometers to the finish line. If it had been perfectly arranged, he would have run under two hours even then, replies Post.
The commentator had been looking forward to following Kiptum during this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
– One of the highlights of the Paris Olympics for many in the world of athletics was a meeting between him and Eliud Kipchoge, the marathon king, but unfortunately that meeting never materialised, says Post.