Kenyan athletics star dies aged 26 after ‘vomiting blood’ during month-long illness that saw him hospitalised

Kenyan athletics star Kipyegon Bett has died aged 26 following a month-long illness, having ‘vomited blood’ after being admitted to hospital.

The middle-distance runner reportedly experienced damage to his liver and other organs and was rushed to Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County, Kenya, on Saturday.

He was then discharged before being re-admitted on Monday when his condition deteriorated once again, as per Nation.

His sister Purity Kirui, who won 3,000m steeplechase gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, said: ‘He has been unwell for about a month and has been treated at AIC Litein Hospital as an outpatient.

‘On Saturday his condition deteriorated and was referred to Tenwek Hospital for further tests.’

The middle-distance runner reportedly experienced damage to his liver and other organs

He was rushed to Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County, Kenya, on Saturday and discharged before being readmitted

Barnaba Korir, Athletics Kenya director in charge of youth and development, added that he had been in contact with Bett’s family.

‘I spoke to his elder sister Purity Kirui who confirmed his death,’ he said. ‘The family said he was admitted last week but discharged only to be admitted again when his condition worsened.’

The athlete’s body has been moved to Soin Sigowet sub county hospital mortuary to be preserved ahead of his burial.

Bett, the fourth child among six siblings, broke onto the scene when he won the 800m at the under-20 World Championships in 2016.

He followed that up by sealing bronze in the same discipline at the Worlds in 2017. The same year, Bett won a silver medal in the 4x800m relay.

Bett, the fourth child among six siblings, broke onto the scene when he won the 800m at the under-20 World Championships in 2016

The Kenyan was then banned for four years in 2018 after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance erythropoietin, having previously refused to submit a sample.

On his return in 2022, Bett came third in the 400m hurdles at the Third Athletics Kenya Track and Field Meeting but had not competed since then.