This Monday, the Maratona Clube de Portugal mourned the death of the Kenyan Kelvin Kiptum, world record holder in the marathon, who made his debut at the half marathon in Lisbon, recalled the president of the Portuguese club that organized the race.
“It is with deep sadness that we receive the news of the passing of the world marathon record holder. His presence in Lisbon as the 2019 Half Marathon debutant was marked not only by his remarkable performance, but also by his humility and passion for running. sport,” said Carlos Moya, President of the Marathon.
Kiptum, who died on Sunday aged 24, made his half marathon debut on the streets of Lisbon at the 2019 Lisbon Half Marathon, finishing fifth in 59.54 minutes.
“His absence leaves a void in the sporting community. His memory and legacy will continue to inspire runners around the world. Our thoughts are with his family at this time of deep loss,” concluded Carlos Moya.
The death at the age of 24 of Kiptum, the world record holder of 02:00.35 hours and the leading candidate to run the marathon under two hours, caused enormous unrest in Kenya and among athletics enthusiasts and practitioners, with numerous displays of horror. and messages of condolences.
The young marathon runner, who in addition to holding the world record for the third and seventh best marks in the course, and his coach Gervais Hakizimana died on Sunday evening in a crash between Eldoret and Kaptagat, in western Kenya, in the car he was driving.
Kiptum was the latest Kenyan athlete to die in tragic circumstances.
David Lelei, the African Games silver medalist, died in a road accident in 2010, and marathon runner Francis Kiplagat was one of five victims of another accident in 2018, the same year that Nicholas Bett, world champion sprinter 400 meters hurdles in 2015.
David Rudisha, a former world 10,000m champion, Moses Tanui and Paul Tergat, a two-time Olympic silver medalist in the 10,000m, have all experienced serious road accidents in the East African country.
Samuel Wanjiru, the 2008 Beijing Olympic marathon champion, died in 2011 aged 24 after falling from the balcony of his home, also in Kenya, and Agnes Tirope, a world champion cross-country skier, was stabbed to death in 2021, allegedly by her husband. accused of murder.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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