Kipyegon Bett, the former world under-20 800m champion, has died at the age of 26 in Bomet, Kenya, following a brief illness. Bett, who won the junior title in 2016 and secured a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships, faced significant challenges in his athletic career after receiving a four-year suspension for doping in 2018.

His sister, Purity Kirui, revealed that Bett had been experiencing severe stomach pain for nearly a month, leading to a diagnosis of a liver condition. He was hospitalized after vomiting blood and expressed concern about his survival shortly before his passing on Sunday.

Kirui, a steeplechase runner and 2014 Commonwealth gold medallist, said that Bett struggled with depression and unhealthy habits during his suspension. Although his ban ended in August 2022, he found it difficult to return to competitive sports.

Bett's death raises further concerns about the challenges faced by Kenyan athletes in navigating the pressures of competition and doping regulations, amidst ongoing issues related to the country's anti-doping efforts.