Eliud Kipchoge, the celebrated marathon runner who holds the world record, recently opened up about a harrowing ordeal he endured. In an interview with BBC Sports, Kipchoge disclosed how he was deeply distressed by false accusations circulating on social media, connecting him to the tragic demise of fellow marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.
Kipchoge revealed the anguish he felt upon receiving death threats online, which instilled profound fear within him. He recounted the onslaught of messages, including threats directed towards his family and professional career.
The weight of social media speculation falsely implicating him in Kiptum’s passing led to an onslaught of negativity directed at Kipchoge. He described how these accusations escalated into threats against his loved ones, his possessions, including his home and investments, and even the facility where he trained.
The betrayal cut even deeper when Kipchoge faced negativity from those within his own community, including his teammates. Amidst this storm, Kipchoge found solace in the words of his mother, whose encouragement provided a glimmer of comfort, despite the heartbreaking nature of her advice to be cautious.
Kelvin Kiptum, renowned for his record-breaking achievement in the 2023 Chicago Marathon with a time of 2:00:35, tragically lost his life alongside his coach in a fatal road accident on Sunday, February 11th.
