Athletics Kenya (AK) confirmed the cancellation of the Africa ln Games trials which were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in honour of the late world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
Kiptum, died on the spot alongside his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana after the car he was driving in allegedly swerved off the road and hit a tree along Eldoret-Kaptagat Road.
In a signed statement, the AK confirmed that a new date for the event that was scheduled for Nyayo Stadium will be announced in due course. “Athletics Kenya wishes to inform all athletes and the entire athletics fraternity that the Trials for African Games which were to be held on 16th and 17th February 2024 at The Nyayo National Stadium has been cancelled in honor of the late Kelvin Kiptum,” read part of the statement.
“Selection process of the team that will represent the country at the African Games which will be held on 18th to 22nd March, 2024 in Accra, Ghana, will be announced in due course.”
Meanwhile, the world of athletics is still in shock following the news of the untimely and tragic death of Kiptum, at the age of just 24. The Ethiopian Olympic Committee (EOC) Vice President and former multiple world record holder Haile Gebresilassie described the demise of Kiptum as a shock admitting he was looking forward to see the athlete write new history. “I started my day with this heart wrenching news of Kelvins’s tragic passing. He was one of my favourite young athletes. I have been following his running and success for a while and I was sure he was destined for greatness,” said Gebresilassie.
The former Olympic champion continued: “After he broke the world record at 2023 Chicago marathon back in October, I was eager to watch him write a new history, by breaking the two hours barrier in his next race. We have seen a lot of potential from other athletes previously but for me, Kiptum was the real deal to be the first athlete to run an eligible sub two hours in the marathon.”
Multiple Olympic champion Kenenisa Bekele described the news as “devastating”, and believed that his legacy will inspire future generations.