RIP: David Kiprotich - Kenyan athlete collapsed and died 7km into his training this morning

This was David Kiprotich Bett. He was the junior 5000m champion in 2010. RIP.

I in no way want to turn this into a PED fight/argument/whatever. I don't know the athlete at all, so understand that I don't have any knowledge of what he was doing. What I do know is that it is unusual to see people of this age to collapse and die. Perhaps he has a pre-existing condition, and if so, my point is wrongly stated. What I do want to say is that I suspect some sort of drug use led to this, which makes me feel terrible about what athletes may feel like they have to do to get on the world stage.

I know this is LRC and there's a lot of negativity and animosity going on here, but I am not pointing fingers, or trying to create drama. I just feel sh*tty about what this could possible be. It just sucks. Peace to everyone here, and I hope no one takes my post the wrong way.

This is certainly very sad. David Kiprotich Bett was very young and famously finished second to Isiah Kiplangat Koech in the World Youth 3000m in 2009 with both running 7:51(you can look up the finishing photo of the two). And sure he won 5000m junior title in 2010. My condolences to his family and friends.

Interestingly I had a bad dream(nightmare) this morning about a Kenyan athlete who stopped and collapsed in the middle of a track race! It was a female and her heart was racing so fast she could barely say a word. She passed on in my hands. I woke up sweating and very shocked. The dream has bothered me a lot and wondered if I should do something and let the athlete or his handlers know. I now think it probably related to this news.

David Kimani

Bekele's fiance

Now this....

Ohyeah wrote:

David Kimani

Bekele's fiance

Now this....

There have been a few, maybe two or three cases of athletes collapsing and dying while training or racing in the area(Eldoret/Kaptagat). Proper and meticulous investigation (including preservation of internal body tissues to be tested in well equipped labs overseas) needs to be done to unearth the root cause of this problem.

Bometian wrote:

Ohyeah wrote:

David Kimani

Bekele's fiance

Now this....

There have been a few, maybe two or three cases of athletes collapsing and dying while training or racing in the area(Eldoret/Kaptagat). Proper and meticulous investigation (including preservation of internal body tissues to be tested in well equipped labs overseas) needs to be done to unearth the root cause of this problem.

Two or three out of how many hundreds of runners, over the course of how many years? It's not exactly unheard of for seemingly healthy people to die unexpectedly whilst exercising.

It happens. Locally, a 22 year old died during a mountain run in 2009. That race is now named after him. Ryan Shay died during the Olympic trials marathon. Basketball player Hank Gathers died in a game at 23. Quite a number of runners die during races every year.

Itsa wrote:

Bometian wrote:

There have been a few, maybe two or three cases of athletes collapsing and dying while training or racing in the area(Eldoret/Kaptagat). Proper and meticulous investigation (including preservation of internal body tissues to be tested in well equipped labs overseas) needs to be done to unearth the root cause of this problem.

Two or three out of how many hundreds of runners, over the course of how many years? It's not exactly unheard of for seemingly healthy people to die unexpectedly whilst exercising.

It is unheard of at the LetsRun.com forum.

LRC has determined that it is suspicious.

It is just like another suspicious incident involving a suspicious coach.

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Such heartbreaking news. RIP David.

If it wasn't a pre-existing or undiagnosed condition, I fear too many athletes could be pushing themselves too hard during training. Especially in places like Kenya where there's lack of equipment to detect potential risks.

Ohyeah wrote:

David Kimani

Bekele's fiance

Now this....

The list is way, way longer than this sadly (cycling, triathlon, rowing, cross country skiing).

Too thick wrote:

You have to take aspirin and stay hyper hydrated to stay alive during the epo phase.

This is known.

Such classy people, you yanks. Evident in the type of leadership you've inflicted upon the world. Stay proud.

Hi, David Kiprotich Bett is actually alive and well. Whats been reported is mistaken identity and a different person.

Do you have any proof of this? If so, who is this other person?

this?

Kiplimo Chemirmir wrote:

Hi, David Kiprotich Bett is actually alive and well. Whats been reported is mistaken identity and a different person.

Mark Twain, "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

Ohyeah wrote:

David Kimani

Bekele's fiance

Now this....

Did you take statistics in high school or college? I am guessing not. There are many reasons Kiprotich could have passed away. Yes, I am aware of the PED problem, but the zealotry of extrapolation without proper information is just silly. You might as well be reading leaves or looking at tarot cards.

El Keniano wrote:

Too thick wrote:

You have to take aspirin and stay hyper hydrated to stay alive during the epo phase.

This is known.

Such classy people, you yanks. Evident in the type of leadership you've inflicted upon the world. Stay proud.

I assume you are referring to Obama. Yes, that was a national embarrassment. We apologize for that.

Subway Surfers Addiction wrote:

Ohyeah wrote:

David Kimani

Bekele's fiance

Now this....

The list is way, way longer than this sadly (cycling, triathlon, rowing, cross country skiing).

Way longer indeed. Travis Landreth. Ryan Shay etc.

Kiplimo Chemirmir wrote:

Hi, David Kiprotich Bett is actually alive and well. Whats been reported is mistaken identity and a different person.

Any updates??