Agnes Tirop: Rare Photo of Slain Athlete Running Barefooted Before Fame Goes Viral

Agnes Tirop: Rare Photo of Slain Athlete Running Barefooted Before Fame Goes Viral

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:51 PM
  • From the photo, the only noticeable thing was her short hair which she has proudly maintained since shooting to stardom
  • Armed with determination and tenacity, Agnes Tirop is seen competing in what appeared like a local event
  • The photo was shared on Facebook by sports journalist, Jeff Kinyanjui, eliciting emotions among his followers
  • Tirop was laid to rest in Nandi county at the weekend days after her lifeless body was discovered in her house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county

An undated photo of slain long-distance athlete Agnes Tirop running barefooted has surfaced online.

Agnes Jebet Tirop celebrates winning bronze in the Women's 10,000 Metres final during day two of 17th IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF)
Tirop was laid to rest in Nandi county this weekend days after her lifeless body was discovered in her house in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images for IAAF).
Source: UGC

The moving photo emerged only days after she was laid to rest at her parents' home in Nandi county.

While it remains unclear when it was taken, it did show she was participating in a local event.

Complete in a black kit, a then young Tirop looked determined and resolute as she raced on the track.

The photo was shared on Facebook by sports journalist, Jeff Kinyanjui, eliciting emotions among his followers.

Many reminisced Tirop's journey to stardom, with others exuding justice will be served as authorities probe the circumstances of her sudden and tragic death.

How Kenyans reacted

One said:

"Breaks my heart every time I see her picture."

A second wondered:

"My heart bleeds for our daughter. Did she have to die cause of 'love'?"

Another noted:

"It hurts knowing that she is gone, after all the sacrifice and hard work she put into running."

While a fourth added:

"Rest in perfect peace may paradise of heaven be your resting place."

Tirop found dead

While details on how Tirop met her death remain scanty, it is believed she may have been murdered as she was found with stab wounds on her abdomen.

TUKO.co.ke reported her lifeless body was discovered at her home last Wednesday, October 13, at her home in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county.

Her tragic death came only two months after she represented the country in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where she finished fourth in the 5,000m.

The two-time World Athletics Championships bronze medallist had set the world record for a women's only 10km road race in Germany.

Authors
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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.
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