2024-02-12 01:55:05
From one thunderclap to another. Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, who stunned the world by breaking the marathon world record last October for his third race, died this Sunday at the age of 24 in a car accident in the town of Kaptagat, Kenya .
The athlete was on board the vehicle with his trainer, Gervais Hakizimana, who was also killed, and a woman who was only injured, according to police commander Peter Mulinge, quoted by the media. Nation Africa. The accident occurred in the evening, around 11 p.m. local time. Kiptum was the driver of the car, according to the same media.
The logical favorite for the marathon at the Paris Olympic Games scheduled for July-August, Kiptum made history in Chicago on October 8 by winning the day’s race in 2 hours and 35 seconds. He thus became the first runner in history to go below the two hours and one minute mark, smashing the mark of his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge since 2022 by 34 seconds.
An “incredible athlete”
The performance had amazed specialists, especially since Kiptum had only run his first marathon in December of the previous year. A race also won, like the following, before his exploit on American soil.
The international federation quickly paid tribute to him on Sunday evening. “World Athletics is terribly saddened to learn of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum,” she wrote on X.
“We are in shock and deeply saddened to learn of the terrible loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” reacted personally the president of World Athletics, Sebastian Coe, saluting an “incredible athlete who leaves behind an incredible legacy “.
#Kenyan #marathon #world #record #holder #Kelvin #Kiptum #dies #car #accident