Kenyan middle-distance runner Kipyegon Bett, who struggled with health issues in recent years, has tragically passed away at the age of 26 due to complications related to renal and hepatic failure.
Bett first gained prominence as a champion at the 2016 U20 World Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where he was celebrated as one of Kenya’s brightest athletic talents.
However, his career faced significant challenges in 2018 when he was suspended for doping after testing positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a substance known for its performance-enhancing effects. Throughout the allegations, Bett consistently proclaimed his innocence.
After serving his suspension, which concluded in August 2022, Bett battled ongoing mental health difficulties. His sister revealed that he faced depression and developed an alcohol dependency in the years following his suspension.
Bett was hospitalized last week in his hometown of Kericho and was readmitted on Friday as his condition deteriorated.
