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Kenya’s marathon world record holder and one of the prospects of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kelvin Kiptum Cheruiyot met with a horrific car accident in Kenya on Sunday, February 11. However, the 24-year-old champion and his coach Gervais Hakizimana passed away on the spot while the third passenger has reportedly sustained severe injuries.
It was stated that Kelvin was driving the car from Kaptagat to Eldoret at around 20:00 GMT on Sunday, February 11, when the car lost control and rolled resulting in an untimely death of the two. According to the police official Peter Mulinge, “The car had three occupants, two died on the spot, while one was taken to hospital. The two are Kiptum and his coach,” Peter Mulinge, Police Commander for Elgeyo Marakwet County said.
“It is Kiptum who was driving heading to Eldoret and the vehicle lost control and rolled killing the two on the spot. A female passenger sustained injuries and has been rushed to hospital,” he further informed.
Saddened and Devastated: World Athletics President Sebastian Coe
President of the World Athletics, Sebastian Coe also released a statement mourning the death of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach. He said, “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and 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 in October 2023 that Kelvin hogged up the limelight with his world record marathon run in Chicago. He recorded a timing of 2:00:35, scripting the world record and etching his best with a 34-second margin.
