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      Kelvin Kiptum dead: World record holder & London Marathon winner dies aged just 24 alongside his coach as world mourns

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      LONDON Marathon winner and world record holder Kelvin Kiptum has died aged just 24.The Kenyan long distance runner was killed alongside his coach Garvais Hakizimana in a car crash.
      Kelvin Kiptum crosses the finish line to win the Elite Men’s Marathon during the 2023 TCS London Marathon in April 2023Credit: Getty
      Kiptum with his coach Hakizimana, who also died in the smashCredit: AFP
      The Kenyan was selected to represent his country ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in ParisCredit: X/@RailaOdinga
      The Kenyan international poses alongside Sifan Hassan, winner of the Elite Women’s race, with the Chris Brasher Memorial Trophy last yearCredit: PA
      Kiptum won the London Marathon in April last year and broke the course record, crossing the line in two hours one minute and 25 seconds.
      Just months later he smashed the world marathon record in Chicago, completing the 26 mile race in just two hours and 35 seconds.
      International track federation World Athletics had only ratified his records last week.
      Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga confirmed Kiptum had died on X, writing: “Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon.
      “Together with his coach, they tragically passed on in an accident tonight.”
      “My deepest condolences to his loved ones, friends, and the entire athletics fraternity.
      How Kelvin Kiptum went from borrowing shoes to winning London MarathonKelvin Kiptum was renowned for being the only person in history to run the marathon in under two hours and one minute.
      But the Kenyan, 24, had to rise from the depths of poverty prior to his remarkable success.
      When he lined up for his first major local competition in 2018, Kiptum did so wearing borrowed running shoes because he could not afford a pair of his own.
      Kiptum began his career on the road, breaking away from the past tradition of athletes starting on the track before switching to longer distances.
      But that wasn’t out of choice.
      Kiptum claims he made the decision purely because of a lack of resources.
      “I had no money to travel to track sessions,” he explained to BBC Sport Africa.
      “My training place is far from a track, so I started training with road-running guys – and that’s how I got into marathon.”

      “Our nation grieves the profound loss of a true hero.”
      The crash happened on a road in Western Kenya – a high-altitude area commonly used as a training base for long-distance athletes.
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      Kiptum described his astonishing rise to success in an interview with the BBC last year.
      He ran his first major local competition in borrowed shoes, as he couldn’t afford a pair himself.
      Kiptum said: “It has been a long journey for me through my career.
      “I have been trying so hard to pursue this dream to run a world record.
      “It has come true and I am really happy. My life has now changed.”
      His coach Hakizimana – who also died in the smash – told of how he knew Kiptum from a young boy in the same interview.
      He said: “I knew him when he was a little boy, herding livestock barefooted.
      “It was in 2009, I was training near his father’s farm, he’d come kicking at my heels and I would chase him away.
      “Now, I am grateful to him for his achievement.”
      London Marathon organisers said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the terrible news of the death of marathon world record holder Kelvin Kiptum and his coach, Gervais Hakizimana.
      “The thoughts of everyone at the TCS London Marathon are with Kelvin’s and Gervais’ family and friends.”
      World Athletics president Seb Coe said: “On behalf of all World Athletics we send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and the Kenyan nation.
      “It was only earlier this week in Chicago, the place where Kelvin set his extraordinary marathon World Record, that I was able to officially ratify his historic time.
      “An incredible athlete leaving an incredible legacy, we will miss him dearly.”
      Local reports state that a second passenger, a lady identified as Sharon Kosgey, was in the car at the time of the crash.
      She survived the impact but with serious injuries, and was rushed to Racecourse Hospital for medical attention.
      The bodies of Kiptum and Hakiziman were taken to the hospital’s mortuary.
      Elgeyo Marakwet Police Commander Petr Mulinge confirmed the accident took place at approximately 11pm (8pm GMT) on Sunday.
      According to Mulinge, Kiptum had lost control of the vehicle, veering off the road and landing in a ditch about 60 metres away before colliding with a tree.
      He added that Kiptum and Hakizimana “died on the spot”.
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      Kiptum was currently training to run just under two hours at the Rotterdam Marathon on April 14.
      He had also been selected by Kenya for this summer’s 2024 Olympics in Paris.
      Why it took Kiptum 23 YEARS to agree to run a marathonKiptum may have been a world record holder and champion but it took a lot of convincing to get him to run in the first place.
      According to his coach Garvais Hakizimana – who died alongside him this week – Kiptum needed time to warm up to the idea of running a marathon.
      The Kenyan initially feared that it might be too tough.
      “He had some fear and preferred the shorter half-marathon until 2022 when he finally agreed to a marathon,” Hakizimana told BBC Sport Africa.
      Fast forward a few years and Kiptum would have 42km triumphs in Valencia, London and Chicago.
      But there were also other complications getting in the way of Kiptum fulfilling his potential.
      Kiptum had to convince his family that he could make it in athletics.
      His father had been adamant that he should go to college instead.
      “He wanted me to study to pursue my diploma to be an electrician but I was saying that I needed to be an athlete – I had that passion,” Kiptum recalled.
      “That period was very hard for me because I trained for four years, yet there were no successes and they were disappointed in me. But I kept on pushing.”
      Eventually his father came around, even occasionally helping him get to early morning training on time.

      Kiptum poses as he celebrates winning the elite men’s race in just two hours and 35 secondsCredit: Reuters More

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      World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down ‘high six figures’ sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a month

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      THE world’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt claims she’s turned down a “six figure” sponsorship deal despite only earning around £600 a MONTH.Schmidt, 25, is one of Germany’s top sportspeople after becoming a popular track and field star.
      Alica Schmidt turned down a six-figure sponsorship deal despite only earning £611 a monthCredit: Instagram / @alicasmd
      She was part of the relay squad for the Olympic Games in Tokyo nearly four years ago.
      And Schmidt has acquired a cult following as a result, boasting 4.9million fans on Instagram and a further 2m on TikTok.
      But despite her popularity, she says she makes only £611 a month from sponsorship deals.
      That entire fee streams from a German sports foundation called Sporthilfe.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      And they only pay Schmidt because she is on the national team.
      However, the fan favourite does earn income from her massive social media platforms.
      And as a result, Schmidt was able to turn down a huge sponsorship deal worth six figures as she felt “uncomfortable” with the brand.
      Schmidt told Bild: “Two months ago I received an offer from a well-known brand. But I wasn’t 100 per cent behind it.
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      “I didn’t feel comfortable with that. That would have been in the mid-to-high six figures for a campaign.
      “In principle, I have to say that it is not easy for most German track and field athletes to make a living from sport.
      Five celebs that could have been professional athletes including mega movie star and a member of the royal family
      “Of course there is money to be made from competitions. In most competitions you don’t make any money.
      “Personally, I couldn’t live on these amounts alone, because for many competitions you still have travel and hotel costs, which aren’t always covered.
      “Most of us study part-time in order to build up a second source of income, or even have mini jobs that we do on the side.”
      SEE MORE OF ALICA SCHMIDT’S GLAMOROUS LIFE…
      Schmidt is one of Germany’s top athletesCredit: Getty
      She competes in track and field for her countryCredit: Getty
      Schmidt was part of the relay squad for the Tokyo Olympic GamesCredit: Reuters
      Schmidt has acquired a cult following online
      She has nearly five million Instagram followers
      Schmidt also has two millions fans on TikTok
      The German is very particular about working with brands More

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      Olympic chiefs unveil medals for Paris 2024 with each award containing ‘piece of Eiffel Tower’

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      THE medal design for this year’s Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris has been unveiled, with each recipient set to pick up a unique piece of the Eiffel Tower.The medals will feature a hexagon-shaped piece of iron taken from the original Eiffel Tower in their centre, organisers have revealed.
      The medal design for this year’s Olympics and Paralympics includes a piece of the Eiffel TowerCredit: AFP
      All 5,084 medals will feature the six-edged metal medallionCredit: Getty
      The medals have been designed by ChaumetCredit: AP
      All 5,084 gold, silver and bronze medals for the Paris Games will feature the six-edged metal medallion which will be set like a gemstone under a design by elite French jewellery house Chaumet.
      Tony Estanguet, head of the local organising committee, said: “We wanted to offer to all medal-winners at the Paris Olympics and Paralympics a piece of the Eiffel Tower from 1889.
      “A combination of the most precious metals from the medals – gold, silver and bronze – with the most precious metal in our country, from this treasure that is the Eiffel Tower.”
      The design by Chaumet also features a circular arrangement of ridges intended to catch the light and evoke the sun’s rays.
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      The iron hexagon – a shape which echoes the contours of mainland France – is held in place by six spurs on each corner which are intended to resemble the rivets used on the Eiffel Tower.
      Thierry Reboul, the director of ceremonies, went on to explain: “We found out that over the years during the maintenance of the Eiffel Tower that they were obliged to remove some of the original structure.
      “We used these pieces. There were more than enough of them.”
      Paris organisers requested that the traditional medal design – which includes Greek goddess Nike flying into the historic Panathinaikos stadium in Athens on the back – be slightly altered so that they could add an Eiffel Tower to the scene.
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      All the metal used in the Paris medals, which weigh around half a kilogram, has been recycled.
      They will be manufactured by the national mint, which has strongly denied a recent report that it has struggled to find a non-toxic agent to coat each one.
      Forgotten Team GB star Dwain Chambers ‘to RETURN to athletics 20 YEARS after doping ban’ aged 45
      The puddle iron used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower in particular needs protection from air and humidity to prevent it from oxidising.
      However, Joachim Roncin, head of design for the Paris Games, insisted: “We’ve not had any issue with this.”
      Chaumet is one of the more than 70 leading luxury brands owned by French conglomerate LVMH, which is a major corporate sponsor.
      Other LVMH brands including Berluti, Dior and Louis Vuitton are also set to feature at the Paris Olympics under the company’s sponsorship deal.
      The Eiffel Tower is set to have a central role during the Olympic Games which will run from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8. More

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      Michel Jazy dead at 87: Trailblazing athlete who set nine world records and won ‘race of the century’ passes away

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      LEGENDARY French athlete Michel Jazy has passed away at the age of 87.The former world record holder was an iconic 1500-metre runner, winning the European title in 1962.
      Frenchman Michel Jazy, right, racing back in 1965Credit: AFP
      He has passed away at the age of 87Credit: AFP
      In total, he set nine world records across a sensational career – the last of which came in his final appearance as an athlete.
      He came devastatingly close to the Olympic title in Rome in 1960, finishing 0.65 seconds behind Australian Herb Elliott as he claimed the silver medal.
      Four years later, he then narrowly missed out on a medal in the 5,000m as he came home fourth in Tokyo.
      But in 1966 he did clinch the European title in the 5,000m in Budapest.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      At the same event, he also earned silver in the 1500m.
      Jazy was born into a poor coal-mining family from Poland who had emigrated to France after the First World War.
      He left school at the age of just 14, before he became an apprentice in a printshop two years later.
      In 1953, he won the 1000m in the youth race at the French national championships, before he achieved the same feat in the 1500m in 1955.
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      In 1956, he joined the air force but continued to run alongside those duties – and even competed at the Olympic Games in Melbourne in the same year, finishing seventh.
      Towards the end of the 1950s, he left the air force and began working at a printing plant.
      Around this time, he also married Parisian secretary Irene Denis – who gave birth to their two daughters in the early 1960s.
      Jazy’s colleagues at the printing plant insisted he worked overtime to compensate for his athletics training.
      But L’Equipe newspaper editor Gaston Meyer then intervened and gave him a typographer job – which allowed him to train in the mornings.
      And he went on to establish himself as one of France’s greatest athletes by winning European and Olympic medals, before he retired in 1966. More

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      Olivia Dunne concerns over her LSU gymnastics future after being left out of lineup for second straight week in row

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      CONCERNS have been raised over Olivia Dunne and her gymnastics future.The LSU gymnast star, 21, hasn’t appeared in the collegiate team’s lineup for two straight weeks.
      College sports star Olivia Dunne hasn’t participated in LSU’s last gymnastics meetsCredit: Getty
      The 21-year-old is in her senior season as an LSU gymnastCredit: Getty
      The New Jersey native boasts around 13 million followers across social media and has a NIL deal valued at $3.5 millionCredit: Getty
      Dunne has become immensely popular due to her social media presence.
      She has close to 13 million across Instagram and TikTok .
      As a result, Olivia has an NIL deal that is valued at $3.5 million, the second-highest across the country.
      The 21-year-old has entered her senior year as a gymnast.

      But Dunne hasn’t appeared in two straight LSU meets.
      The most recent absence came when the Tigers lost to Missouri 197.325-197.225.
      Olivia was seen cheering on her teammates but was left out of the lineup and didn’t perform.
      She had sat the previous week against Kentucky.
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      Dunne has recently posted videos of herself training on the balance team.
      It’s unclear if Olivia is dealing with an injury.
      As for LSU, they will host Arkansas on February 2.
      Dunne has still had success outside of the sport of gymnastics.
      The New Jersey native has been revealed as one of the stars of a new Prime Video documentary alongside fellow LSU gymnasts Flau’jae Johnson Angel Reese, and Jayden Daniels. More

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      Forgotten Team GB star Dwain Chambers ‘to RETURN to athletics 20 YEARS after doping ban’ aged 45

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      DWAIN CHAMBERS is set to make a shock return to athletics aged 45 – more than 20 years after his doping ban.Chambers was suspended for two years in 2003 after testing positive for the steroid THG.
      Dwain Chambers is eyeing a stunning return to athletics aged 45Credit: AP:Associated Press
      However, he was back competing for Great Britain in 2006 and went on to enjoy great success, especially indoors where he was crowned world 60m champion.
      But now the Daily Mail report the North London sprinter will make his major comeback at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in February.
      Dad-of-two Chambers ran an impressive 6.81sec to break the over-45s 60m world record at Lee Valley earlier this month.
      And the self-described ‘Benjamin Button’ plans to compete over the same distance at the flagship UK meeting in Birmingham.
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      That could see him go up against athletes literally half his age.
      Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, ex-60m world champ Richard Kilty, reigning British champion Reece Prescod and 100m world semi-finalist Eugene Amo-Dadzie may also feature.
      And should Chambers take to the start line, it would cap off an incredible return to top-level athletics.
      The former 100m world bronze medallist in 1999, who won 4 x 100m European gold, has not featured at the Indoor Championships for four years and failed to get through outdoor 100m heats in both 2021 and 2022.
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      Chambers saw his European 100m gold medal and record 9.87sec time nullified by his drugs ban but stepped back into competition briefly in 2006.
      He then had ventures into both American Football and rugby league before turning his attention largely to the 60m distance – although he did race against Usain Bolt at London 2012.
      Five-time national indoor winner Chambers’ 6.42sec time from 2009 remains the British record.
      Chambers is also a coach at his academy at Lee Valley as he prepares for his shock comeback after a decade away from representing Great Britain on the international stage.
      Chambers missed out on qualifying for the 100m outdoors in 2021 and 2022Credit: PA
      He is still competing and is also a coach for younger athletesCredit: Instagram More

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      Shawn Barber dead: Olympic pole vaulter dies aged just 29 after suffering ‘medical complications’ as tributes pour in

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      SHAWN Barber, the Canadian world champion pole vaulter has died at 29 from “medical complications”.The young athlete died Wednesday at home in Kingswood, Texas, his agent Paul Doyle confirmed to The Associated Press.
      Canadian champion Shawn Barber has died aged 29Credit: AP
      The Candian pole vaulter died in his Texas home, his agent saidCredit: AP
      A cause of death was not yet known but Shawn had been experiencing health issues.
      “More than just an incredible athlete, Shawn was such a good-hearted person that always put others ahead of himself,” Doyle said Thursday.
      “It’s tragic to lose such a good person at such a young age.”
      He is survived by his mother, Ann; father, George; and brother, David.
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      Shawn was a successful pole vaulter at the University of Akron, where he won consecutive NCAA indoor titles in 2014 and 2015.
      The Canadian also won the NCAA outdoor championship in 2015, followed by gold in the Pan-American Games later that summer.
      Shawn rode a wave of momentuminto the world championships that season in Beijing, where he won gold over Germany’s Raphael Marcel Holzdeppe.
      A year later, he reached the final of the 2016 Rio Olympics’ pole vault event, which was won by Brazil’s Thiago Braz.
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      Shawn’s best vault was six metres (19 feet, 8 ¼ inches) on January 15, 2016, in Reno, Nevada.
      His mark remains the Canadian record.
      Shawn’s cause of death remains unknownCredit: AP More

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      Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey shows off peachy bum in bikini yacht snaps as fans say ‘you definitely float my boat’

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      OLYMPIC hopeful Lauryn Davey took social media by storm once more with another bikini snap.Lauryn has been causing a stir thanks to a host of steamy pics across her social media channels.
      Lauryn Davey took social media by storm once moreCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn posed in a tiny bikini for her Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn shares a series of steamy pics for her followersCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      This time, the 24-year-old took to Instagram to share some snaps from her most recent holiday.
      And the heptathlete left her 26,200 followers in awe with a tiny blue bikini.
      Lauryn posted on Instagram: “Whatever floats your boat.”
      The Welsh athlete’s fans were left absolutely stunned as they stormed the comments’ section.
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      One fan commented: “You definitely float my boat.”
      Another wrote: “Keep staying positive.”
      A third said: “How to make a bikini look hot.”
      This fan posted: “Looks stunning, the environment looks pretty good too.”
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      And that one gushed: “Beautiful.”
      Lauryn is currently a medical student at Swansea University alongside her exploits as a heptathlete.
      And the Brit hopes to represent Team GB at future games ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
      Check out more from Lauryn below
      Lauryn has attracted a large following on social mediaCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn shares a series of bikini picsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      And she often leaves very little to imaginationCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn often shares pics of herself on holidayCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn also keeps fans updated on her fitnessCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn took social media by storm during her trip to SwedenCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She braved the cold with a tiny bikiniCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn is an Olympic hopefulCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      She wants to join Team GB in the near futureCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
      Lauryn shares pics from the gymCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More