Kenya president William Ruto and world marathon greats Eliud Kipchoge and Sir Mo Farah have joined the athletics world, and beyond, to mourn the passing of Kenya’s world long distance runner Kelvin Kiptum who died on Sunday, February 11, at 11PM in Kenya.
Kiptum, 24, died in a car crash, together with his Rwandan coach Gervais Hakizimana and a woman identified as Sharon Kosgey, after their vehicle veered off the road at Kaptagat area of Western Kenya. He was driving a Toyota Premio heading to Eldoret.
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President Ruto was among Kenyans and the world community who were deeply saddened by the fallen star who was preparing to represent Kenya in the upcoming big rendezvous including Rotterdam Marathon which is due on April 14 and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.
The Kenyan head of state said, "Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the world’s finest sportsmen who broke barriers to secure a marathon record. He was only 24 yet, as a hero, triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and in other top competitions. His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future.”
"An extraordinary sportsman has left an extraordinary mark on the globe. Our thoughts are with the family and the sporting fraternity. Rest In Peace."
He made a breakthrough in 2023 as a rival to compatriot Eliud Kipchoge - one of the greatest marathon runners.
And it was in Chicago last October that Kiptum bettered Kipchoge's achievement, clocking the 26.1 miles (42km) in two hours and 35 seconds. His marathon record was ratified just last week by the World Athletics.
Kipchoge was among the first to send tributes to Kiptum’s family, describing the late long-distance runner as an "an athlete who had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.”
"I am deeply saddened by the tragic passing of the Marathon World record and rising star Kelvin Kiptum. I offer my deep condolences to his young family. May god comfort you during this trying time,” he said.
On his side, British marathon legend Sir Mo Farah extended his tributes to not just Kiptum but also to his coach Hakizimana who hails from Rwanda, a country which the Briton has been to in 2022 when he headlined the Kigali International Marathon that year in June.
"I’m so sad to hear the passing of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. Kelvin was an amazingly talented athlete and had already achieved so much,” Farah said.
"He truly had a special talent and I have no doubt he would have gone on to have had an incredible career. I send all my sympathies and condolences to his and Gervais’ family and friends at this tragic time."
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach also features the list of international figures that eulogized Kiptum, an athlete that his body was ‘looking forward to welcoming him into the Olympic community at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and seeing what the fastest marathon runner in the world could achieve.”
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends as well as with those of his coach, Gervais Hazimana, who also died in the accident,” Bach said.
Besides the IOC, World Athletics, the body governing athletics globally, and the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) also expressed their sorrow to lose the Kenyan athletes.