Athletics Kenya in touch with Cameroon officials after death of Kenyan Athlete

By Antynet Ford

Athletics Kenya (AK) has contacted the Cameroon government and will be issuing more information after the passing on of a Kenyan athlete Charles Kipkorir.

Kipkorir died on Saturday in Cameroon after taking part in a mountain race.

In its statement on Sunday, while mourning the sudden demise of the young athlete, AK said it was in touch with the Cameroon authority.

“Athletics Kenya would like to confirm that Charles Kipkorir Kipsang died on Saturday in Cameroon after taking part in a mountain race. We are in touch with the athletics authority and Cameroonian government and we will keep you posted on the next steps.” AK said in a statement.

The athletics governing body advised Kenyans to pray for the family and desist from posting things on social media that could take a toll on the family negatively.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Charles Kipsang Kipkorir died on Saturday in Cameroon.

“A Kenyan runner died of a suspected heart attack after collapsing at the finish of Saturday’s Cameroon mountain race, Africa’s oldest international athletic competition, according to officials.” Xinhua reported.

Bernard Okalai Bilia, Governor of the Southwest region where the race took place said that Kipsang was leading the race but suffered a malaise that forced him to briefly stop minutes to the finish line.

It is reported that the 33-year-old athlete managed to cross the finish line but later collapsed after collecting his prize.

Efforts were made and Kipsang was rushed to the hospital where he died a few minutes later.

Governor Billia said they could not reveal exactly what happened to Kipsang as he appeared fine after the race.

The sudden death came a day after the burial of the world marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum who died on a tragic road, and preparations are on to bury the legendary Henry Rono who died almost a week ago.