[ad_1]
Agnes Tirop, 25, was found with stab wounds to her abdomen at her house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County on Wednesday. She had finished fourth in the 5,000m race in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Ms Tirop’s death, with a crime scene in place at her home.
The athlete’s death was confirmed by Barnaba Korir, the chairperson of Athletics Kenya in Nairobi region.
In a statement posted to social media, he said: “Athletics Kenya are this afternoon distraught to learn about the untimely death of World 10,000m bronze medalist Agnes Tirop.
“Tirop was found dead at their home in Iten after she was allegedly stabbed by her husband.
“We are still working to unearth more details surrounding her demise.”
Mr Korir added that after Ms Tirop’s death, “Kenya has lost a jewel”.
He continued to say she was “one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track”.
The chairperson then added: “Just last month, she broke the women-only record in the women’s 10km at Road to Records Race in Germany, timing 30:01.
“Last week, she finished an impressive second, timing 30:20 at the Valencia Half Marathon.
“Tirop’s decorated CV also includes a World Cross Country title in 2015 during which she made history as the second youngest medalist at that level.
“She also won the Africa Cross Country Championship in 2014 in Kampala, Uganda as well as the World Junior Cross Country Championship in 2013 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
“We pray that God may grant strength to family and friends at this difficult time.”
Representing Kenya at this year’s Tokyo Olympics, she competed in the 5,000m race.
She just narrowly missed out on the bronze medal as she finished in fourth place in a season’s best time of 14:39.62.
Last month, she set a new world record in the women-only 10km race at the Road To Records event in Germany on September 12, crossing the line in 30:01, beating the previous time by 28 seconds.
After the race she said: “I am so happy to break the world record.
“The pace was tough but I felt my body was responding well.”
[ad_2]
