The World Athletics on Friday joined the family of the late Kelvin Kiptum in paying their last respect for the loss of a promising athlete.
In his tribute, the athletics body president Sebastian Coe acknowledged the frustration that the world shares in the absence of Kiptum.
He described the death of Kiptum as of young life that ended soon in a devastating way.
"A young life that had in so few years scale the highest peaks of athletics achievements is prevented from even greater exploits is a cause of intense sadness. It is also on this one of the saddest days in the history of this great country that we have legitimate permission to celebrate an extraordinary young man," he said.
He expressed sadness saying he knew Kiptum would have written epic chapters in the lustres of the Kenyan and world athletics.
"There can be few words from me today that can ease the pain and sense of loss for Kelvin's family, fellow athletes, the legion of friends from within and beyond athletics many of whom are gathered here today, the Kenyan Athletics Federation and of course the people of Kenya," he said.
He said Kiptum's achievements are treasured, indelible, and secure and would never be forgotten.
Kiptum was on Friday laid to rest at his farm near Naiberi in Uasin Gishu County.
He died alongside his coach Gervais Hakizimana in a road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road.
He has left behind a widow, Asenath Rotich, and two children.
Leaders who were present eulogised Kiptum as a resilient, hardworking, and ambitious athlete.
President William Ruto said that despite Kiptum coming from a humble background, he never let his guard down.
Ruto said that through his hard work, Kiptum broke the World Record.
"Today's World Record has Kiptum's name and it is because he was selfless and had no reasons not to succeed than he had to succeed but he worked against the odds.
"He could have said I come from a village that is not very well known or I come from a family that cannot cater for me or that I don't have running shoes. You heard him that he ran barefoot in his earlier days."
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the nation's shining star had dimmed too soon with the death of Kiptum.
“We paid tribute to a great son of the land, a hero of our country who left us as he set to conquer the world,” Gachagua said on X.
