Kenyans are shocked by Kipchoge’s absence at Kiptum’s burial as Coe mourn a bright star-dimmed.
Kenyans on social media have not given Eliud Kipchoge peace after it was alleged that he has missed out on the late Kelvin Kiptum's burial.
Kenyans on social media have yet again come after former world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge after he allegedly missed out on Kelvin Kiptum’s burial.
The tensions between Kipchoge and the late Kiptum started when Kipchoge failed to congratulate the latter who broke his world record at last year’s Chicago Marathon. The fallen king clocked 2:00:35 to cut the tape and completely shatter Eliud Kipchoge’s world record time of 2:01:09.
Kenyans went after Kipchoge, questioning why he could not laud Kiptum for his effort. After his demise, Kipchoge released a statement in honour of Kiptum but Kenyans on social media were not satisfied.
The latest attack comes following Kipchoge’s absentia during Kiptum’s burial proceedings being held at the Chepkorio showground.
Notable athletes including double world record holder Faith Kipyegon, 2015 world javelin champion Julius Yego, and two-time world 3000m steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto are in attendance at the event.
Warui John added another post on X saying: “I think Eliud Kipchoge is the one making Kenyans attack him, he would have joined the mourners in this Kiptum's final journey…”
Another X user posted a funny photo, captioning it: “Where is Eliud Kipchoge? Where is Kipchoge?” Dan Nyagah, another user, asked: “Eliud Kipchoge, where are you, my brother?”
He added another comment saying: “Eliud Kipchoge is completely missing at Kelvin Kiptum's burial. Why now? I thought he should be the one leading other athletes in Mourning his fellow Marathon Champion.”
Meanwhile, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has eulogised Kiptum as an athletics great whose death robbed the world of a talent that was set to write more epic chapters in the sport.
Coe expressed his sadness and frustration that world marathon record holder Kiptum did not live to write more chapters in his storied athletics career.
While eulogising Kiptum during his funeral service in Chepkorio, Elgeyo Marakwet county on Friday, Coe said he was heartbroken to see such a promising athlete die when he had just started scaling the peak of the sport.
“That a young life ends so soon and devastatingly is itself enough course to grieve,” Coe said in his speech.
“That a young life that in so few years scaled the highest peak of athletics is prevented from even greater heights is a course for even greater sadness.
“It is also on this saddest day in the history of this great country that I ask legitimate permission to celebrate an extraordinary young man.”
The World Athletics boss also took the opportunity to convey a message of condolence from the global athletics family, saying his achievements will never be forgotten.