Kenya’s Kelvin Kiptum, the holder of the men’s marathon world record at 24 years old, tragically passed away in a car accident on Sunday evening, February 11.
Alongside him, his coach Gervais Hakizimana from Rwanda also lost his life in the accident on a road in western Kenya.
Kiptum emerged as a significant figure in marathon running in 2023, rivaling fellow country man Eliud Kipchoge, one of the sport’s greats.
Notably, Kiptum surpassed Kipchoge’s achievement in Chicago last October, completing the 26.1 miles in two hours and 35 seconds.
Both athletes were poised to represent Kenya in the marathon at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for sports Ababu Namwamba expressed profound grief, calling Kiptum a “special gem” and remarking on the loss for Kenya.
Those sentiments were shared by Raila Odinga, Kenya’s opposition leader and former prime minister, who hailed Kiptum as a “true hero” and mourned the loss of a remarkable individual and icon in Kenyan athletics.