Eliud Kipchoge tells how his children’s routine changed after threats linking him to Kelvin Kiptum’s death

• Eliud Kiochoge broke down when recounting the agony his family experienced due to the false accusations against him
• He said accusations linking him to the death of fellow marathoner Kelvin Kiptum made him lose trust in people.
• Kipchoge revealed that he changed his children’s daily routine because he feared for their lives after threats came.

Two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge has revealed how rumors linking him to the death of fellow athlete Kelvin Kiptum affected his family.

Who was Kelvin Kiptum?

Kiptum, world marathon record holder, died in a car accident on Sunday, February 11, on the Eldoret-Kaptagat highway.

Kiptum died along with his Rwandan coach, Gervais Hakizimana, in the incident that shocked the global athletics fraternity.

“It was shocking to hear some people say that I was involved in the child’s death,” Kipchoge, 39, told BBC Sport Africa.

President William Ruto, opposition leader Raila Odinga and the athletes, including Kipchoge, expressed their shock and grief as they consoled the families of the bereaved.

Eliud Kipchoge’s most difficult moments

However, Kipchoge’s condolence message sparked backlash as some Kenyans accused him of being behind Kiptum’s death.

They accused Kipchoge of being unhappy with Kiptum after the latter broke his world record and set a new one.

They backed up their sensational and unfounded accusations with the marathoner’s delayed congratulatory message to Kiptum when he broke the world record.

After keeping a low profile, Kipchoge told the BBC that accusations on social media escalated into threats to his family, his investments and his team at training camp.

There were threats to burn down his training camp and his businesses in different parts of the country, according to Kipchoge.

Why Eliud Kipchoge appreciates his family very much

Her biggest concern was ensuring her family was safe because she feared that the perpetrators of the threats might go after her children.

“I was really worried about my children’s safety and I called a lot of people amidst the threats. My fear was how my children were going to and from school,” Kipchoge said.

He said his daughter’s situation was fair because she was in a boarding school and did not have access to social media, where all the lies and sensational accusations circulated and circulated.

However, their young children are in day school and have to be dropped off and picked up daily.

Amid the tension, Kipchoge and his wife had to change their children’s routines to ensure their safety.

“The children sometimes ride bicycles and we had to stop them because we were not sure what would happen. We started dropping them off at school in the morning and picking them up at night,” Kipchoge said.

The athlete said it was traumatizing for his young children to hear that their father had killed someone.

Amid the vile accusations, a video emerged of Kipchoge proud of Kiptum’s skills on the road and silenced his critics who accused him of being jealous.

Eliud Kipchoge’s interview

• Eliud Kipchoge, 39, said the accusations had caused him to lose many friends and lose trust in people.
• The famous world marathoner said he received threats from people who said they would burn down his training camp.
• Eliud Kipchoge’s sentiments made many Kenyans console him and urge him to keep his head up and focus on winning future races.

Review by Asher Omondi, Current Affairs Journalist and Copy Editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke