Athletics, Kelvin Kiptum dies at 24: he was the quickest marathon runner on the earth | EUROtoday

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe was one of many first to specific his condolences in an announcement on X, previously Twitter. “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana,” Coe wrote. “On behalf of all of world athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation,” he added.

“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 who leaves an incredible legacy, he will be greatly missed,” Coe wrote.

David Rudisha, Kenya's two-time Olympic 800m champion, wrote in X that he was shocked and deeply saddened by the information. “This is a huge loss,” Rudisha wrote. Kiptum discovered rapid success by working the quickest time ever by a marathon novice on the 2022 Valencia Marathon. The following yr he gained the London and Chicago races, two of essentially the most prestigious marathons on the earth. When he was younger and new to the circuit, he had already run three of the seven quickest marathons on file.

President Kenya: Kiptum was our future

“Kelvin Kiptum was a star. Arguably one of the best sportsmen in the world who broke barriers to secure a marathon record. He was only 24 years old and yet, as a hero, he triumphed in Valencia, Chicago, London and other top competitions.” Thus in a post on his X account, the president of Kenya, William Samoel Ruto, remembered the marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum, who tragically passed away. “His mental strength and discipline were unmatched. Kiptum was our future. An extraordinary sportsman who has left an extraordinary mark on the world. Our thoughts go out to his family and the sporting community. Rest in peace,” he added.

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