The marathon world record holder (in 2 hours and 35 seconds), who died this Sunday, February 11 in a tragic car accident, received a strange visit before his death.
As revealed by the Spanish press agency EFE this Wednesday, three individuals were arrested this Wednesday in Kenya.
Local authorities wanted to question them about a possible link with the death of Kelvin Kiptum.
It was the father of the 24-year-old athlete who informed the police.
“A few days ago, people arrived looking for Kiptum, but they refused to identify themselves,” he reportedly detailed.
I asked them to show me ID, but they chose to leave.
» Still according to EFE, the three men arrested were accompanied by a fourth person during their visit.
For only a few months, he was the marathon world record holder in 2h00.35.
He wanted to be the first to go under 2 hours at the 2024 Olympics
Kelvin Kiptum died in a road accident
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In their report, the Kenyan police explained that Kelvin Kiptum lost control of his vehicle and hit a tree.
His trainer, Gervais Hakizimana, also died in this accident.
A woman was also present in the marathon runner's car.
She escaped unhurt but injured.
According to AFP, Kelvin Kiptum's funeral will take place in ten days.
These will be held in Chepsamo, the Kenyan village in which the athlete lived.
“We set the date for February 24 after consultations with the family and the government on the funeral arrangements and the protocol adopted,” said Barnabas Korir, one of the officials of the Athletics Kenya Federation.
Read alsoDazzling trajectory, controversial record, favorite for the Olympic marathon: the broken destiny of Kelvin Kiptum
He added that he expected the arrival of Sebastian Coe, the president of the International Athletics Federation, but also that of the Kenyan president, William Ruto.
In a press release, the government also announced that it would cover funeral costs: “In honor of the late Kenyan marathon world record holder, a true national hero, the government will support Kiptum's family by making him a heroic and dignified farewell.
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