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MARATHON WORLD RECORD holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach have died in an accident in Kenya, it has been announced.
Kenyan member of parliament Gideon Kimaiyo confirmed the pair’s death in a statement on X.
Mr Kimaiyo said: “It is with heavy hearts that we learn of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, and his coach in a tragic accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road.
“Kelvin Kiptum was at the prime of his career, a legend in his own right. It’s a tough one to take.
“Our thoughts are with their families during this incredibly difficult time. The people of Keiyo South are saddened by this loss. May their souls rest in eternal peace.”
Kiptum, 24, set a new world record of two hours and 35 seconds at the Chicago Marathon in October last year.
He also won the London Marathon in 2023 with a record time of two hours, one minute and 25 seconds.
It is with heavy hearts that we learn of the passing of Kelvin Kiptum, the world marathon record holder, and his coach in a tragic accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road. Kelvin Kiptum was at the prime of his career, a legend in his own right. It's a tough one to take. pic.twitter.com/65suM9JIT6
— Hon Gideon Kimaiyo (@GideonKimaiyo_) February 11, 2024
The organisers of the London Marathon said on X: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the terrible news of the death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“The thoughts of everyone at the TCS London Marathon are with Kelvin’s and Gervais’ family and friends.”
World Athletics president Seb Coe said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the devastating loss of Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
“On behalf of all at World Athletics, we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
“It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time.
“An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
At the 2022 Valencia Marathon, Kiptum set the record for the fastest debut marathon in history, crossing the line in a course record of two hours, one minute and 53 seconds.
He was due to compete at the Rotterdam Marathon in April, which would have been his first event since setting the world record.
Written by Press Association and posted on the42.ie
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Something unnatural about all this. Who would let work dictate their entire life and the existence or non-existence of their kids?!
Yeah, imagine forcing women to delay having children so they can make even more super profits.
Disgraceful. Yeah.
Careers should fit around families not the other way round.
If equal maternity and paternity leave was given and jobs were shared properly upon return to the workplace then there would be no need nor a want to freeze eggs for this purpose.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a partner and be able to make the decision that they will have kids eg. next year. If it was only that simple!!
Some of us might liked to have kids before 35 but relationships didnt work out etc. No harm to freeze a few eggs, take the pressure off!
Very true but this should be state enabled. Rather than by multinational companies looking to increase their profits rather than look out for the individual.
These companies are looking to increase female participation and I would think that the majority of women are held back by the fact that maternity leave (without equal paternity leave) takes them out of the professional world and leaves them at a negative standing.
Introduce paternity leave and level the playing field. And give fathers their right to bond with their children too.
Obviously, not every family is catered for in this situation, but if you want to freeze your eggs I don’t think facebook or apple should have anything to do with it.
Thats all true Laoise.. I know plenty of women want to go back to their career once maternity leave is over. Its their right and it should be so. Sadly things can change in the workplace while you are away. Its often very subtle. Sometimes its not. Personally speaking, my job was given to the bosses son during my maternity leave and i was made redundant. I could have sued but i think i was glad. I got a job 2 minutes away from home with less stress.
Having said all that and i am glad that i am with the kids full time now, i do miss working. There is a bias against working mothers and its terribly unfair. Something needs to change!
@Laoise This sounds like it is aimed at their American workforce, and over there all healthcare is generally paid for by your employer.
Agh nepotism is another thing I’d love to eradicate but that’s just an ideal world.
Things certainly need to change but I’d like to think they are slowly. There’s an apetite for discussion over these matters whereas before anything other than the status quo was shot down.
And, I think the view of the working mother is changing now also. I know plenty of working mothers, single and married that excell at working and raising a family. Lots of working fathers that buck the trend too. There just needs to be encouragement. :)
@John They may be targeting American avenues now but they have a large employee base in Ireland too so that ethos may eventually carry over here.
And I’ll use any excuse to talk about maternity/paternity leave in Ireland :)
New life is never guaranteed, speaking from experience I would never have delayed having children.. Little did I know it was never meant to be ..
This is actually disgusting, I can understand career people not wanting kids but I wouldn’t delay having my family to make my boss happy. Good shout about Apple and facebook, it’s about time they paid their way
Unclench!
Nobody is forced to do this. It’s actually an additional benefit being offered to those who want it..
Its would be great if Apple and Facebook paid their taxes too. Maybe we could fund a lot more social health solutions.
Brave New World!?
I was lucky to have one and we should have started much earlier!
Short-sighted view of employee retention and maximising talent and also a way to eliminate older workers. Would like to see upfront their policy on supporting the same women returning to the workforce following maternity leave in their 40′s and supporting their careers having frozen their eggs. But no, that’s probably not part of the plan. If they’re not going to support family-friendly policies in natural child-bearing years they’re sure as hell not going to do it in later years.
Corporate greed and short-term view of retention and maximising employee talent. Would like to see what their family-friendly policy is in supporting older women returning to the workforce following maternity in their 40′s having frozen their eggs. No, probably not part of the plan.
It would be great if Apple and Facebook paid their taxes too, instead of using our society as place to wash money through.
Corporate state. Orwell. Is well and truly here.
the system programming the robots
Sad state of affairs. With the recession many people are finding themselves in this crux. Having both partners working has eroded a lot of family life. All to pay a bigger mortgage.
So true
I heard other so called experts suggest that women should go back to giving birth at 17 or 18 straight after leaving high school as they could be in college at 20 – 21 and ready to give the rest of their lives over to their career.In other words if you must have kids have them but your life belongs to a corporation and don’t forget that.Also I’ve read a theory that some companies should start providing on site full schooling ie.playgroup – university for employees kids so that the kids can be raised in the corporate culture so that they could make perfect future employees. Companies like Google or Facebook certainly have the resourses to create such a system and the need for such employees.I put it down as a conspiricy theory but now Im not so sure.
This is outrageous, particularly since ova preservation has a much lower success rate than sperm or embryo preservation! Great that they are giving their employees the option if that’s what they wish, but not sure it would be for me!
Corporation ey?
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