In a recent interview with BBC Sport Africa, Eliud Kipchoge revealed the harassment he experienced in the weeks following the death of Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum on February 11. This harassment had a significant impact on Kipchoge, affecting his trust and ultimately influencing his performance at the Tokyo Marathon in March.
Kipchoge explained that after the sudden death of the 24-year-old Kiptum in a car crash, social media users began accusing him of being intentionally involved in the incident. Learning about Kiptum’s death, especially after Kiptum had bested Kipchoge’s marathon world record at the October Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:00:35, was devastating for Kipchoge, describing it as the “worst news ever in my life.”
Following the accusations, Kipchoge and his family faced threats, including threats to burn down his property and harm his loved ones. This situation led Kipchoge to become extremely cautious, especially regarding the safety of his three children, whom he started dropping off and picking up from school personally, fearing for their safety.
Despite the accusations, it is important to note that there is no evidence linking Kipchoge to Kiptum’s death. Autopsy and police reports revealed that Kiptum died from severe head injuries sustained in a car crash where he lost control of his vehicle at night and crashed into a ditch on the side of a Kenyan road. Authorities have not accused anyone of foul play in the incident.
