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A tribute to six Kenyan athletes whose promising careers and lives were tragically cut short by road accidents, leaving lasting legacies.
World record-holder Kelvin Kiptum's untimely demise in a car crash has cast a shadow over the athletics world highlighting a series of tragic losses that have befallen Kenya's sports heroes.
The promising marathon runner was seen as a beacon of hope for the nation setting the stage for a remarkable career that was cut tragically short.
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11:00 - 14.02.2024
ATHLETICS Kiptum burial plans in top gear as date set for funeral ceremony
Kenyan marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum's burial plans unfold as the nation mourns his untimely demise in an accident.
Kiptum's passing is not an isolated incident; it follows a distressing pattern of road accidents that have claimed the lives of several Kenyan athletes over the years.
Nicholas Bett (1990-2018)
Nicholas Bett's promising career was cut tragically short in August 2018.
The 400m hurdles World Champion of 2015 and a two-time African Championships bronze medalist met his end on a road near Lessos, Nandi County, just days after returning from the African Championships in Nigeria.
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07:30 - 14.02.2024
ATHLETICS Striking similarities between Kelvin Kiptum & Samuel Wanjiru who both died in tragic fashion
Pulse Sports explains how the careers of marathon sensations Kelvin Kiptum and Samuel Wanjiru followed the same path before they met their death in tragic fashion.
Bett's loss was deeply felt, not just for his achievements on the track but for the potential that would remain unfulfilled. His car veered off the road and landed in a ditch, marking a premature end to a life that had inspired many.
Bett's legacy is not merely in the titles he won but in the barriers he broke. His victory at the 2015 World Championships was a landmark, marking him as the first Kenyan to win a world title in a distance shorter than 800 meters.
Bett's sudden departure left a void in the hearts of fans and fellow athletes alike, a reminder of the risks athletes face outside the arena.
David Lelei (1971-2010)
David Lelei's death in February 2010 in a road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway was a stark reminder of the risks faced by athletes off the field.
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22:15 - 13.02.2024
ATHLETICS Kelvin Kiptum: Unfulfilled marathon promise cut short by tragic loss
Kelvin Kiptum's death has left the whole world in utter shock and sadly, whatever was left of his extraordinary potential will now never be realised.
Lelei, a silver medalist at the 1999 All African Games and a competitor at the World Championships, had achieved considerable success in his career.
His untimely death, along with the minor injuries sustained by fellow athlete Moses Tanui, brought to the fore the critical issue of road safety in Kenya.
Lelei's legacy, characterized by his performances at the highest levels of international competition, continues to inspire young athletes. His personal bests in the 800m and 1500m remain benchmarks for aspiring runners, a testament to his talent and hard work.
Samuel Kosgei (1986-2023)
Samuel Kosgei's death in 2023 following a hit-and-run incident underscored the dangers that continually shadow Kenya's athletic community.
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13:00 - 13.02.2024
ATHLETICS Are periods a hinderance to better performance in female runners?
In an exclusive interview with Pulse Sports, Ferdinand Omanyala's fiancee, Laventa Amutavi opened up on whether periods affect a female runner's performance.
The record-holder for the 25km race, who had an illustrious career marked by his record-breaking performance in Berlin in 2010, died instantly when struck by a passenger vehicle.
His demise came as a shock, especially since he had just competed in the 2022 Daegu International Marathon, showcasing the enduring spirit of a champion.
Kosgei's career was one of remarkable achievements and pioneering feats, including serving as a pacemaker for Haile Gebrselassie during the 2009 Berlin Marathon.
His death not only robbed the world of a gifted athlete but also highlighted the ongoing safety concerns for Kenya's sportsmen and women.
Francis Kiplagat (1990-2018)
The untimely death of marathon runner Francis Kiplagat in a road accident in 2018 brought to light the perilous journeys many athletes undertake.
Kiplagat, who was returning from Nairobi to Eldoret after obtaining his visa, was involved in a catastrophic collision that claimed six lives, including his own.
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12:00 - 13.02.2024
ATHLETICS Zurich Marathon organisers set to honour Kelvin Kiptum and his coach on Sunday
The Zurich Marathon race organisers have announced that they will honour Kelvin Kiptum and his coach as they mark their 39th edition on Sunday.
The accident, which occurred in the Kikopey area along the Nakuru-Nairobi Highway, underscored the hazardous road conditions athletes navigate, often with fatal consequences.
Kiplagat's passing was a significant loss to the athletics world, depriving it of a competitor with unexplored potential.
His career, though promising, was cut short, leaving his family, friends, and fans to wonder what milestones he could have achieved had fate not intervened.
Kenneth Muriithi (1987-2020)
In 2020, the athletics community mourned the loss of Kenneth Muriithi, a steeplechase specialist and Kenya Defence Forces athlete, who died in a head-on collision while driving near Nyahururu Town.
Muriithi, who had represented Kenya in the 3000m steeplechase at the Africa senior athletics championships in 2018, was known for his dedication and resilience on the track.
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09:00 - 13.02.2024
ATHLETICS Kelvin Kiptum's widow breaks silence after tragic loss of her husband
The late Kelvin Kiptum's wife, Asenath Cheruto has opened up on the kind of man her late husband was.
His death not only highlighted the ongoing issue of road safety in Kenya but also the loss of a soldier and athlete who had much more to offer.
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