Kenyan long distance runner and world bronze medallist Agnes Jebet Tirop has been found stabbed to death at her home.

Athletics Kenya released a statement on Wednesday morning which reported she was discovered in her house in Iten, a town in the west of the country where many athletes train. Kenyan police are investigating.

Tirop won 10,000m bronze at both the 2017 and 2019 World Athletics Championships, and won gold at the 2015 World Cross Country Championships. Last month, Tirop smashed the women-only 10km world record in Germany, crossing the line in 30:01 to shave 28 seconds from the previous record held by Morocco’s Asmae Leghzaoui from 2002.

“Just last month, she broke the women-only record in the women’s 10km at Road to Records Race in Germany, timing 30:01 … Tirop’s decorated CV also includes a World Cross Country title in 2015 during which she made history as the second youngest medallist at that level.

“She also won the African Cross Country Championship in 2014 in Kampala, Uganda, as well as the World Junior Cross Country Championship in 2013 in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

“We pray that God may grant strength to family and friends at this difficult time.”

SOURCE: The Independent