Kipyegon Bett: Budding talent that was cut short after doping ban in 2018

Kipyegon Bett of Kenya reacts as he wins in the men’s 800 meter during the Shanghai Diamond League athletics competition in Shanghai May 13, 2017. [AFP]

Before 2018, Kipyegon Bett, who died on Sunday, was touted as the next David Rudisha.

He died aged 26 while undergoing treatment at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County after vomiting blood on Friday and Saturday, according to his family.

Bett oozed class as he stormed to the podium in international championships starting with a gold medal and silver at the 2015 African and World Youth Championships.

The late Bett went ahead to further prove that he was destined for 800m greatness when he claimed victory at the 2016 World Under-20 championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

On Monday, his family in Kiptere village, Kericho County said Kipyegon endured pain as a result of an illness that rendered him weak in the last one month.

Family members said Bett died minutes to 1pm on Sunday after doctors said his liver and kidneys had failed.

Before his death in Bomet on Sunday, Bett – a world bronze medallist from 2017, had slipped into depression and indulged in excessive drinking in his home village.

According to the late 800m star’s sister Purity Kirui, the late Bett was frustrated by a suspension and later, a four-year ban over an anti-doping rule violation in 2018.

Kenya's Kipyegon Bett (C) wins ahead of US athlete Drew Windle (3L) and Sweden's Andreas Kramer in the heats of the men's 800m athletics event at the 2017 IAAF World Championships at the London Stadium in London on August 5, 2017. [AFP]

Kirui, a Commonwealth 3,000m steeplechase champion said her brother declined to return to the sport after the doping allegations.

“He resorted excessive drinking of alcohol and all efforts to have him return to training proved futile. Kipyegon (Bett) kept saying he was innocent and that he was not ready to return and be accused falsely,” his sister told Standard Sports in a telephone interview.

Kirui said Bett’s illness became overwhelming in the last one month after he complained of frequent headaches and his body became weak.

She said Bett’s health further deteriorated in the last two weeks and was rushed to Litein Hospital in Kericho County on Saturday September 28, where doctors prescribed medication before the once rising 800m star was discharged.

“It was difficult to understand whether Bett was sick or not because he would leave home early and return late at night.

“Before we took him to Litein Hospital, his eyes had turned yellow and had lost his appetite for food.

“At Litein, he was given medication and asked to return for more checkups a week later, which was last Saturday.

“On Friday, the situation worsened and he started vomiting blood. He was rushed to Litein but medics at the facility referred him to Tenwek Hospital where he died around noon on Sunday,” Kirui, who trains in Kiptere, said.

She said her late younger brother, the fourth-born in a family of six children was placed in the Intensive Care Unit but doctors said at 6am on Sunday that he was not responding to treatment.

“My parents had also encouraged him to return to athletics but he declined. When he chose to quit the track, I convinced him to go to college because he had scored a C minus in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) at Kiptere Secondary school. He was yet to make up his mind,” Kirui said.

Kipyegon Bett wins men's 800m race during the world relays trials at Kasarani Stadium , 2017.[DENNIS OKEYO,STANDARD]

She went on to say: “My brother needed professional guidance and counseling after the suspension and ban. He would not have sunk to alcoholism. The doctors said excessive consumption of alcohol was the cause of his liver and kidney problems.”

The late Bett’s brother-in-law Victor Kiprotich who was among persons who rushed the athlete to hospital on Friday said his body had ceased responding to medication.

Kiprotich said doctors had prepared the family of Bett’s death after he continued vomiting despite receiving medication.

“Kipyegon (Bett) was frustrated by the ban. He had high hopes but his dreams were shattered at a young age. At that age, he was not old enough to make a sound decision on whether to return to the sport or embark on something else,” he said. By midday yesterday, his family was yet to decide on burial arraignments.

Bett was not married and lived with his parents Joseah Kirui and Sarah Kirui in Kiptere.

He died days after 2004 Vienna Marathon champion Samson Kandie was found dead at his home in Eldoret. The police said he was attacked and killed by unknown assailants.

Meanwhile, police are investigating the death of 2015 African Games 3000m steeplechase champion Clement Kemboi who is said to have died under unclear circumstaces in Koisungur, on the outskirts of Iten. His body was discovered on Monday.