Athletes in Kericho County have mourned their slain counterpart Agnes Tirop who recently finished fourth in this year's Tokyo Olympic 5,000 meters final.
The athletes who gathered on Friday morning at the Kericho Green Stadium led by their coach Gabriel Kiptanui poured in their tributes to the late 2019 Bronze medallist who was stabbed to death at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
Kiptanui who is also the Vice-Chairman Athletics Kenya Kericho branch eulogized the slain athlete as a young, ambitious, and hard-working lady who had a bright future in athletics and also had become a role model to upcoming athletes in Kenya.
“It is very unfortunate that the country has lost such a talented runner who had a promising future. Investigations should be thoroughly conducted and the culprit who committed that heinous act should be dealt with in accordance with the law,” said Kiptanui.
Athletics Kenya Vice-Chair also called on athletes to be cautious in relationships they engage in and utilize the money they earn from the sport in development projects and shun bad company.
Victor Kimutai the winner of last weekend’s Kisumu 10,000 meters race also remembered the late Tirop as a good athlete who represented our country in various races.
Meanwhile, upcoming athletes Dennis Maritim and James Konchela also condoled with the family of the late Tirop describing her as a role model and an inspiration to young athletes who looked up to her.
In honour of the murdered athlete, Athletics Kenya which is the country's governing body has suspended all athletics competitions for two weeks to mourn their colleague who made a name for the country by participating in various international races.
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