President William Ruto has called on Kenyan athletes participating in the coming Paris Olympics, to make it an Olympic of departed World Marathon record holder Kelvin Kiptum.
Speaking at Kiptum's funeral service on Friday at ASK Chepkorio grounds, the President said that the country had hope that Kiptum would put Kenya on the world map once again in the competition set for July - August 2024.
Ruto urged Kenyan athletes to put their best foot forward, adding that this is the Olympics that will define who Kelvin Kiptum was.
"Kelvin had just joined the many heroes we have. The great ambassadors, our sportsmen and women that keep Kenya on the world map. We had hope and faith that he would keep Kenya on that map even in the coming Olympics," Ruto said.
"But since we have you our athletes, Paris is going to be the Olympics that is going to define this man Kelvin. We want you to make Paris and Olympics of Kelvin Kiptum."
Kiptum died early this month in a road accident, alongside his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana.
Hakizimana was laid to rest at Rusororo cemetery in Rwanda on Wednesday.
World Athletics head Sebastian Coe, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei, veteran athletes and members of parliament among others were present at the funeral service.
In his address earlier, AK President Tuwei regretted that the country will miss the late World marathon record holder in the forthcoming games.
Speaking during the funeral service of the athlete, Tuwei said Kiptum was among those shortlisted to participate in the Paris Marathon in France.
"We wish to ask those who will be in Paris to train hard and run tactically as a team and bring the victory back to Kenya in honour of our departed Kelvin Kiptum," he said.
Tuwei also announced that a foundation will be launched to help fund education and infrastructure projects which Kelvin Kiptum was engaged in.
Tuwei reiterated the commitment by Athletics Kenya to fully support the programme.
"To keep the memory of Kiptum alive and support his family and community, Golazo is launching the Kelvin Kiptum Foundation," Tuwei announced.
"The fund will predominantly provide continued financial support for education and infrastructure."
Tuwei also thanked President Ruto for supporting Kiptum's family.
The government has built a fully furnished three-bedroom house for Kiptum at his Naiberi farm, in Uasin Gishu.
The State fully catered for the burial arrangements and cost.
