Shock as former under-20 athlete dies

Faith Chepng’etich leads Sheila Chepng’etich and Beatrice Mutai in the 8km senior women’s race on December 6, 2014. Sheila Chepng’etich passed away on May 6, 2018 in Kericho. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • Kemei told Nation Sport that the athlete had been unwell for some time and was picked by her mother on Wednesday from camp.
  • She was taken to Kapkatet in Kericho County before proceeding to Nyabondo Mission Hospital, where she was referred back to Kericho County Referral Hospital where she was admitted on Friday until her death on Sunday.
  • “I can confirm that Sheila died on Sunday at 5.30pm after being unwell for some time," said Kemei.

Former Kenya Under-20 international athlete Sheila Chepng’etich has passed on.

The 2014 World Under-20 1500m bronze medallist, who was serving a ban on a doping offence, died at Kericho County Referral Hospital, where she had been taken after falling ill on Sunday evening, according to her coach Japheth Kemei

Kemei told Nation Sport that the athlete had been unwell for some time and was picked up by her mother on Wednesday from camp.

She was taken to Kapkatet in Kericho County before proceeding to Nyabondo Mission Hospital, which referred her back to Kericho County Referral Hospital, where she was receiving treatment from Friday until her death on Sunday.

“I can confirm that Sheila died on Sunday at 5.30pm after being unwell for some time," said Kemei.

Chepng’etich, who won silver in 3000m and bronze in 1500m at the 2013 Africa Under-20 Championships, had been serving the four-year ban since 2014 after testing positive for a performance enhancing substances during the Iris Lotto Cross Cup in Belgium on December 21, 2014.

The 22-year-old also represented Kenya at the 2013 World Cross Country Championships in Poland, finishing eighth in Under-20 race.

Athletics Kenya president Jack Tuwei said the death had robbed the country of a promising athlete.

“ I want to send my condolences to the family, friends and entire athletics family for loosing such a young promising person,” said Tuwei.

Athletics Kenya athletes representative Milcah Chemos expressed her shock at the death.

“It’s sad that we have lost an athlete based in Kericho after a long illness. We send our condolences to the family at this sad moment for the loss," said Chemos.