Former World U20 champion Kipyegon Bett dies after short illness

The athletics fraternity is in mourning following the death of 2016 World U20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett.

Bett, who also won bronze at the 2017 World Championships, passed away on Sunday at Tenwek Hospital in Bomet County where he has been receiving treatment since Monday.

The onset of Bett’s illness

“He has been unwell for about a month and had been treated at AIC Litein Hospital as an outpatient. On Saturday, his condition deteriorated and was referred to Tenwek for further tests,” his sister Purity Kirui told reporters.

According to reports from doctors, Bett had been vomiting blood due to a damage to some of his internal organs.

Statement from Athletics Kenya

“The family said he was admitted last week but discharged only to be admitted again when his condition worsened.” Athletics Kenya director in charge of youth development told member of the press in a statement.

Bett’s track success and downfall

Bett won silver in 4x800m at the 2017 World Relay Championships. He saw his career come to a halt a year later when he was handed a four-year doping ban for the use of blood booster Erythropoietin commonly known as EPO.

His last race was at the 2022 third Athletics Kenya track and field meeting where he competed in the 400m and finished third.