The world record holder of the men’s marathon died in a road accident in his home country of Kenya.
Kelvin Kiptum, 24, was killed alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana, on the night of 11 Feb.
Kiptum set the record of 2.00.35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, beating Eliud Kipchoge’s previous world record from Berlin by 24 seconds.
Athletics Kenya had named him for their provisional team for the Paris Olympics.
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a statement on X:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
“It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time.
“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
Sir Mo Farah said on X:
“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.
“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.”
Kiptum is the second Kenyan marathoner record holder to die at age 24, in the prime of his career.
Samuel Wanjiru was the first Kenyan to win Olympic gold in the marathon, taking the marathon Olympic record at Beijing 2008.
He died after falling from a balcony at his home in Nyahururu.
"Kelvin Kiptum 2023 Chicago Marathon" by Chad Veal is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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