Football

Eliud Kipchoge reflects on online abuse after Kelvin Kiptum's demise

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge smiles asfter crossing the finish line to win the men's race of the Berlin Marathon on September 24, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo: Tobias SCHWARZ/AFP)

By Rama Mohammed | Tuesday, May 7, 2024

The double Olympic champion opened up about the torment of facing baseless accusations and online abuse following the tragic death of fellow Kenyan athlete Kelvin Kiptum. In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport Africa, Kipchoge recounts the distressing ordeal and its profound impact on his life and career.

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge shared his distress over facing online abuse that wrongly accused him of involvement in the tragic death of fellow Kenyan marathoner Kelvin Kiptum.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Kipchoge expressed shock at the accusations that circulated on social media, stating, "That was my worst news ever in my life."

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"I received a lot of bad things; that they will burn the (training) camp, they will burn my investments in town, they will burn my house, they will burn my family," Kipchoge disclosed, highlighting the severity of the threats.

Reacting to the abuse, Kipchoge's immediate concern was the safety of his family. He felt powerless to seek police protection but took steps to ensure his family's safety, altering their routines and limiting their exposure to risks. "I don't have power to go to police and tell them my life is in danger. So my concern was actually to tell my family to be extra conscious and cautious," he said.

The toll of the false rumors extended beyond personal safety. Kipchoge revealed the emotional impact on his relationships, noting a significant loss of trust among friends and acquaintances. "I saw no meaning to change training venues because my life is open," he explained. "Our sport is not training in the gym, it is going outside to run. I walk in the streets freely"

Kipchoge admitted to sleepless nights and a decline in his athletic results, notably finishing 10th in the Tokyo Marathon. He attributed this slump to the mental strain caused by the online abuse. "When I was in Tokyo I had three days which I did not sleep," he revealed. "It was my worst ever position."

“What happened has made it so that I don’t trust anybody.”

Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has told the BBC he feared for the lives of his family during a campaign of online abuse wrongly linking him to the death of fellow Kenyan marathon runner, Kelvin Kiptum. pic.twitter.com/dbPsulzmZv
— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) May 7, 2024

Despite these challenges, Kipchoge remains focused on his athletic goals, aiming to secure a third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Paris 2024. He expressed determination to overcome setbacks and leave a mark in sporting history.

Regarding social media abuse, Kipchoge criticized the slow response of platforms to address harmful content. He welcomed efforts by the International Olympic Committee to protect athletes from online abuse during future events. "These faceless people are posting bad things and are really dangerous," he said. "If you report some accounts then it takes time for them to delete those accounts. They should act fast, get the facts, delete accounts. People [should] know that if you say something which is not good then your account will be deleted."

Reflecting on the ordeal, Kipchoge lamented the loss of trust and enduring emotional scars. He emphasized the need for greater accountability and proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. "I learned that friendship cannot be forever," he said. "I think it's unfortunate that it happened when I'm celebrating over 20 years in sport. What happened has [made] me not trust anybody. Even my own shadow, I will not trust."