2024-02-11 23:46:42
Kelvin Kiptum, who set the marathon world record in October 2023, died on Sunday February 11 in a road accident which also cost the life of his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. He was 24 years old.
Published on: 02/12/2024 – 00:46
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The world of athletics is in mourning. Terrible news has come from Kenya, a great land of long-distance runners. Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident which occurred on Sunday February 11 in the evening. Kenyan police confirmed his disappearance overnight from Sunday to Monday. His Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, also died. The accident occurred in the east of the country, near the town of Kaptagat.
Kelvin Kiptum, who celebrated his 24th birthday in December, made athletics history on October 8, 2023. That day, in Chicago, he had set the world record which his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge held in the marathon. He ran the distance in 2 hours and 35 seconds, becoming the first man to go under 2 hours and 1 minute.
Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics (the international athletics federation), expressed his emotion: “ We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the terrible loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. On behalf of World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation. (…) He was an incredible athlete who leaves an incredible legacy, he will be greatly missed. »
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