Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce lead global stars in mourning Tirop
Jamaican sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters of all time yesterday led other global stars in mourning murdered Agnes Tirop.
The Jamaican sprint queen took to social media to condole with Tirop’s family.
“My Kenyan fans we mourn with you. Condolences to the family and friends of Agnes,” she wrote on her Facebook page.
The world is still coming to terms following the tragic killing of the 25-year-old Olympian on Wednesday in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Tirop’s Italian manager Gianni Demadonna described the late as an individual who had huge potential to break many records.
Demadonna said the tragic death of the 2015 World Cross Country winner was shocking.
“We are speechless and deeply shocked following the sudden death of such an amazing athlete who had a bright future,” Demadonna, a former Italian national distance running star, said.
“She was such an amazing athlete and a beautiful person and it is a terrible time for us,” revealed the Italian who hinted the Olympian was plotting for another 10km record soon.
World Athletics, the athletics global governing body shared a tweet celebrating the life of Tirop who had achieved so much at such a tender age.
“World Athletics is deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely death of Kenya’s Agnes Tirop at the age of 25.
The 2015 world cross-country champion and two-time world medallist had broken the women-only world record for 10km last month,” read the tweet.
Bronze medalist
Rio Olympics bronze medalist Ashley Spencer of US tweeted: “What heartbreaking news in track and field.”
Retired sprinter Katharine Merry from England tweeted: “Desperately sad …. RIP Agnes.”
Ugandan Athletics Federation tweeted: “We’re very saddened to hear about the passing on of our Sister Agnes Tirop.
One of the finest long distance runners of this generation. Our heartfelt condolences are with Tirop’s family ,@athletics_kenya , and the entire athletics fraternity.
Athletics Africa also tweeted: “Gone too soon. Rest in peace Agnes Tirop.”
Tirop, a two-times World Championship bronze medallist, was found stabbed to death at her home, on Wednesday.
Kenya’s former Prime minister Raila Odinga in a statement said the news of Tirop’s death were
sickening, frustrating and discouraging.
Athletics Kenya’s Athlete’s Representative Milcah Chemos said it was sad for a young, upcoming athlete to die in such a brutal manner and have her dreams cut short.
“I have interacted with Tirop on various occasions and she is such a humble girl who wanted to improve on her career.
We even talked last week over the phone and we were to meet for a cup of coffee, but that was never to be. It’s so sad,” said Chemos, a former world steeplechase champion.
Kenyan runner turned USA citizen Aliphine Tuliamuk who represented her adopted country in Tokyo Games just like Tirop had some words of advise.
“I don’t have words to describe how devastating this is, domestic violence is killing our women, we can’t be silent while our women (athletes) suffer in silence with others losing their lives,” she tweeted.
American Tianna Madison, two-time Olympian with three gold medals, warned against domestic violence.
“May you NEVER have to be in a position where you feel your safest away from home, between painted lines on a track, or in a sand pit. 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence. 2 out of 5 women murdered are killed by their husbands/partners. Not as “unbelievable” as it seems,” she tweeted.
The 25-year-old represented Kenya in the 5,000m event at the Tokyo Olympics and finished fourth in the finals.
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.
Tirop won bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships in the 10,000m, and also won the 2015 World Cross Country Championships.
