Julius Kiprop
Summary:
- Eliud Kipchoge shared the profound negative impact of his friend Kelvin Kiptum’s death on his life.
- Kipchoge experienced shock and grief upon hearing the news, pausing his training for a moment.
- He faced baseless accusations and threats from critics claiming he was responsible for Kiptum’s death.
Eliud Kipchoge, the world record holder and celebrated marathoner, has opened up about the devastating effect that the death of his friend and teammate, Kelvin Kiptum, had on his life. The news of Kiptum’s passing left Kipchoge in shock, prompting him to pause his training session for 15 minutes before leaving the camp.
The loss of Kiptum was a significant blow to Kipchoge, who expressed deep sorrow over the death of his friend. However, the situation was compounded by the emergence of false claims from a section of his critics, who alleged that Kipchoge was responsible for Kiptum’s death. This unfounded narrative led to threats against his family, with individuals even plotting to burn down his house and harm his wife and children.
Kipchoge described this period as one he would never forget, emphasizing how the fake accusations turned public sentiment against him and created a climate of fear. Despite his grief over Kiptum’s death, he felt unsafe and feared for his life, which ultimately contributed to his decision not to attend Kiptum’s burial.
The aftermath of Kelvin Kiptum’s death has been a harrowing experience for Eliud Kipchoge, overshadowed by false accusations and threats.
