WE HAVE LOST A SPECIAL GEM
Tributes as marathon world record holder is killed in horror crash
THE athletics world was left reeling yesterday after the death of Kelvin Kiptum, dubbed the Messi of the marathon, in a car crash aged 24.
The Kenyan world record holder was killed alongside coach Gervais Hakizimana, 36, in his homeland.
Kiptum was driving the vehicle when it lost control and rolled on Sunday. They died at the scene, police said.
The dad-of-two also won last year’s London Marathon in a record two hours, one minute and 25 seconds and was set to compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
Kenya’s Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba wrote: “We have lost a special gem.”
Briton Emile Cairess, 26, who finished sixth in last year’s London Marathon, described the star as a “once in a generation” talent like Lionel Messi in football or Usain Bolt in the 100m.
He said Kiptum ran 186 miles a week in training, with four sessions at race pace, in a schedule unheard of.
Emile believes the racing prodigy would have gone under two hours for
the marathon, adding: “It is a real shame we will not get to see him attack that.”
Four-time Olympic champ Mo Farah described him as “an amazingly talented athlete who had already achieved so much”.
He added: “He truly had a special talent and he would have gone on to have had an incredible career.”
Seb Coe, president of World Athletics,
SAD Mo Farah, left, led tributes to race star said the runner had left an incredible legacy.
He added: “We send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, team mates and the Kenyan nation.” Kenyan opposition leader and former prime minister, Raila Odinga, described the runner as “a true hero” and “icon”.
Kiptum was aiming to go under two hours at this year’s Rotterdam marathon, a feat that has never been achieved in open competition.
In October, he clocked the world record of two hours and 35 seconds in Chicago in just his third marathon – taking 34 seconds off the time of countryman Eliud Kipchoge. Tragically, it turned out to be his final race.