Long-distance runner from Kenya: Olympic fourth Tirop found dead

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Agnes Tirop (r.) At the Olympic Games in Tokyo (in August)

Photo:

Petr David Josek / AP

The Olympic fourth and road world record holder Agnes Tirop from Kenya was found dead in her house, according to the Kenyan Athletics Association.

Media reports showed photos of a police operation in Iten in the north-west of the country, where many runners live and train.

Kenya has lost a jewel, the association said.

They are beside themselves with grief for the aspiring runner and are still working to find out details about her death.

Apparently there are indications of a criminal offense.

Tirop was found with stab wounds, it said in the notification of the association.

The local police initially did not provide any details, only confirmed that they had started an investigation.

Tirop had set a world record over ten kilometers on the road a month ago at a race in Herzogenaurach when she improved the old record for women by 28 seconds to 30:01 minutes.

Most recently, she finished second over the same distance in a road race in Geneva on October 3.

The 25-year-old won bronze medals in the 10,000 meter championship twice and took part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo for Kenya, where she was fourth in the 5000 meters in August.

As a 19-year-old Tirop won the world title in cross in 2015.

mon / dpa / AP