Kenyan Olympian and world cross-country champion Agnes Jebet Tirop was found dead at her home on October 13 in Iten, Kenya, with stab wounds in her stomach, according to a Tweet from Athletics Kenya.
Athletics Kenya wrote that her husband allegedly stabbed her. According to the Associated Press, Elgeyo Marakwet County police chief Tom Makori said that they were looking for Tirop’s husband after his family reported that he called them crying, asking for God's forgiveness for something he did.
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Her tragic death follows a successful summer of racing, during which she placed fourth in the 5,000 meters in Tokyo, as well as set the women’s road 10K record in 30:01.
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Tirop saw much success on the cross-country course as a junior athlete. She won golds at the 2013 World Cross-Country Junior Championships and the 2014 African Cross-Country Junior Championships.
“Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage,” wrote Athletics Kenya in its Tweet. “We pray that God may grant strength to [Agnes’s] family and friends at this difficult time.”
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Chris Hatler is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but before joining Runner’s World and Bicycling, he was a pro runner for Diadora, qualifying for multiple U.S. Championships in the 1500 meters. At his alma mater the University of Pennsylvania, Chris was a multiple-time Ivy League conference champion and sub-4 minute miler.
