Kenyan middle-distance runner Kipyegon Bett, renowned for his achievements in the 800 meters, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the age of 26. He succumbed to renal and hepatic failure while receiving treatment at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County, Kenya.
Bett first gained international prominence in 2016 when he clinched the 800 metres title at the World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The following year, he secured a bronze medal in the same event at the senior World Championships in London.
His personal best of 1:43.76, achieved in 2016, remains one of the fastest times globally for the 800 meters.
In 2018, Bett’s career faced a significant setback when he received a four-year suspension after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a banned performance-enhancing substance. This suspension sidelined him from major competitions, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Following his suspension, Bett attempted a return to athletics but struggled to regain his previous form. His sister, Purity Kirui, a two-time Commonwealth Games 3,000m steeplechase champion, revealed that Bett had been battling depression and alcohol dependency after his ban. Despite the family’s efforts to support him, his health deteriorated, leading to his untimely death.
The Kenyan athletics community is deeply mourning Bett’s passing. Athletics Kenya official Barnaba Korir described him as “one of the most talented middle-distance runners” and remembered him as a “kind, gentle, and extremely friendly” individual.
Thanks to: Gulf News, Africa News, BBC
