The father of the Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptumworld marathon record holder, asked this Monday to the Government of Kenya that investigate the circumstances of the death of his son, died last night in a traffic accident in the west of the country.
“There were some people who arrived a few days ago looking for Kiptum, but refused to identify themselves. I asked them to show me some identification, but they chose to leave,” said the athlete’s father, Samson Cheruiyot, in statements reported by local media.
“My only son”
“Kiptum was my only son. He has left me, his mother and his children. (…) I am deeply saddened,” Cheruiyot added. Emotionally, he noted that his son assured him the last time they spoke that he was feeling well and that he was ready to break the record again marathon, falling below two hours.
“He told me that someone will come and help us build a house. He said that his body is now in shape and that now “I could run for (achieve) 1:59 (one hour and 59 seconds)” in the marathon test, revealed the athlete’s father.
By television
The father added that he learned of the misfortune from television. “I received the news of my son’s death while watching the news. I went to the accident site, but the police had taken the body to Eldoret,” Cheruiyot recalled.
The governor of the Kenyan county of Uasin Gishu (where the incident occurred), Jonathan Bii, joined the request of the athlete’s father. “We are deeply saddened for the loss of Kiptum and we ask the Police to accelerate the investigations so that we can know what caused the accident,” Bii said in statements to journalists.
The athlete’s body has been transferred from the Race Course Hospital morguewhere dozens of athletes and acquaintances have come to say goodbye to their friend, at the Eldoret Hospital.
Huge commotion
The death of Kiptum, 24, caused an enormous commotion in Kenyawhich reacted with numerous displays of consternation and tributes for the death.
The young athlete died alongside his coach, the Rwandan Gervais Hakizimanain a traffic accident that occurred last night at around 11:00 p.m. (20:00 GMT) in the road connecting Eldoret with Kaptagat, in western Kenya, in a car driven by the athlete himself.
According to authorities, there was a third occupant to survive and has been transferred to a hospital.
The accident also unleashed a wave of condolences internationally praising the figure of Kiptum, called to mark an era in athletics for his youth and for being the main candidate to go under two hours in the mythical distance.
Kipchoge’s sadness
He rose to world fame on October 8, when the Kenyan set a time of 2h00:35 and clearly lowered the previous record held by his compatriot. Eliud Kipchoge with 2h01:09, achieved in Berlin on September 25, 2022.
Kipchoge, 39, He was deeply saddened today by the death of his partner, who “had a whole life ahead of him to achieve incredible greatness.”