Sports

Female survivor in late Kiptum’s car recounts final moments

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2024

The only survivor in the fatal road accident that claimed the lives of Kenyan world marathon record holder, Kelvin Kiptum, and his Rwandese coach, Garvis Hakizimana, has recounted the moments leading up to the crash.

According to Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Peter Mulinge, the lady, Sharon Chepkurui Kosgei who survived the tragic crash, has provided her statement to the authorities after coming out of coma.

Mulinge who spoke to journalists on investigations into the accident, disclosed that the police were able to get details from Kosgei that will continue to assist in the investigations.

“We were able to record Sharon Kosgei’s statement yesterday. The investigations are still ongoing, and once we are done, we will deliver our findings to the public,” Mulinge said.

“Sharon Kosgei stated that at the time of the accident, she saw the driver of the vehicle, Mr. Kelvin Kiptum, stepping onto the road. She alerted him but was unable to control the vehicle.”

The police commissioner said Kosgei painted a vivid picture of the chaos and desperation that unfolded on the Eldoret-Ravine road in Keiyo South Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

“Following the crash, Kosgei was rushed to Racecourse Hospital and later transferred to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Usain Gishu County, where she underwent treatment for injuries sustained during the accident,” he said.

“Medical personnel attending to Kosgei reported that she received a stitch on her head and suffered bruises on her arm, necessitating her discharge from the hospital.”

Kiptum became a world marathon record holder when he set a time of 2:00:35 in the Chicago Marathon in October last year after switching to running the marathon from shorter distance races a year before.

At the London Marathon, he set a record pace and improved his personal best time by 50 seconds to beat the 2:01:09 record set by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, widely considered the greatest marathoner of all time.

Kiptum broke the course record for the London Marathon, winning the men’s event in the second-fastest marathon in history, crossing the finish line in two hours, one minute and 25 seconds.

His coach, Hakizimana, 36, was a former professional athlete from Rwanda who participated in different races from the 5,000 meter to the half marathon.

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Sports

Italian couple name new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

An Italian couple have reportedly named their new born baby after Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, after he scored a spectacular goal against Olympic Marseille of France in the Europa League semifinal second leg match to take Atalanta to the final.

The Nigerian striker opened the scoring for Atalanta before Ruggeri and Toure sealed the win in their second-leg semi-final tie to set up a mouth-watering final tie with Victor Boniface’s Leverkusen.

According to reports from EuroFoot on X, Ademola’s performance was recognised by the couple who live in Palosco, a district in Bergamo where the Italian club is based.

“Somebody named their child after Ademola Lookman following his goal which helped send the Italian club to the Europa League final!” EuroFoot said in the post.

The post added that Lookman’s contribution to Atalanta’s advancement to the Europa League final caught the attention of the adoring Italian couple who decided to name their child after him.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian international was on Friday, named the Europa League Player of the Week following his outstanding performance in Atalanta’s 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille in the semifinal.

According to UEFA’s official website, Lookman’s performance also included three attempts, further highlighting his influential role in Atalanta’s dominant display

Sports

AIU suspends Kenyan marathoner Josephine Chepkoech over alleged use of prohibited substances

Published

4 days ago

May 9, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has provisionally suspended Kenyan half distance runner, Josephine Chepkoech, over alleged use of prohibited substances during the Barcelona Half Marathon held on February 17, 2013 in Barcelona, Spain.

The AIU, in a statement on Thursday, said Chepkoech was suspended following allegations of doping involving the prohibited substance, testosterone.

In the statement, the AIU said Chepkoech had been served with a Notice of Allegation for violating Article 2.1 and Article 2.2 of its anti-doping regulations.

“The AIU has provisionally suspended Josephine Chepkoech (Kenya) for Presence (Testosterone Metabolites)/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Testosterone),” the AIU stated.

Chepkoech ran a personal best marathon time of 2:22:38 in February at the Seville Marathon, but with the suspension, the record is not likely to stand.

The AIU said the move was part of its crackdown on prohibited substances in athletics which has seen a rising number of Kenyan athletes penalized.

The 35-year-old had made her marathon debut in 2018 at the Nairobi Marathon, dominating the women’s race with a winning time of 2:33:11.

Her provisional suspension means she cannot participate in any competition until a final decision is reached which could result in an acquittal or a formal ban.

She faces a two-year ban pending a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) appeal.