She was just 25
Two-time world championship medallist Agnes Tirop has been found stabbed to death at her home in Kenya.
The 25-year-old won bronze in the 10,000m in 2017 and 2019 and won the World Cross Country Championships in 2015.
She finished fourth in the Olympics 5,000m final this summer, missing out on a medal by just 0.75 seconds; last month set a world record for a women’s only 10km road race in Germany, timing 30:01, and last week finished second at the Valencia Half Marathon.
Kenyan police told BBC Sport Africa they are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Tirop’s death, with crime scene investigators at her house Wednesday.
However, a statement from Athletics Kenya says that Tirop was “allegedly stabbed by her husband”.
Tirop’s death was confirmed by the chairperson of Athletics Kenya in the Nairobi Region, Barnaba Korir.
The incident happened in the western town of Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, a popular training hub for athletes.
A statement from Athletics Kanya says the sporting body was “distraught” to learn of Tirop’s death and is “still working to unearth more details surrounding her demise”.
“Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track,” Athletics Kenya wrote in a statement that ended by saying: “We pray that God may grant strength to family and friends at this difficult time.”
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