Kipyegon Bett, a former world under-20 800m champion, has passed away at the age of 26 in Bomet, Kenya, following a short illness. Bett won the junior world title in 2016 and secured a bronze medal at the senior World Championships in London the following year. However, his career faced a major setback in 2018 when he was handed a four-year doping ban, from which he struggled to recover.

Bett’s sister, Purity Kirui, revealed that he had been suffering from stomach pains and liver problems for about a month. His condition worsened last week when he began vomiting blood and was admitted to the hospital. Despite medical efforts, Bett passed away on Sunday after telling his family he didn’t feel he would survive.

Athletics Kenya official Barnaba Korir described Bett as “one of the most talented half-milers” in the world, remembering him as a polite and amiable athlete.

Doping Ban and Struggles with Depression

Bett’s promising career was derailed in 2018 when he was suspended for refusing to submit a sample for testing and later tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO). His sister, also a professional athlete, said the ban had a detrimental impact on Bett, leading to depression and alcohol abuse. Despite attempts to get him back into athletics after his ban ended in 2022, Bett struggled to return to the sport.

His coach, Japheth Kemei, shared that Bett had once defeated 800m world record holder David Rudisha, showcasing his immense potential. However, Kemei expressed that the mental and emotional toll of the doping ban made it difficult for Bett to regain his footing in athletics.

Broader Implications of Doping in Kenya

Bett’s death highlights the devastating impact of doping on young athletes. Kenya has been grappling with doping violations, with over 70 athletes sanctioned in recent years. Despite the country’s investment in anti-doping efforts, concerns have arisen following significant cuts to the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya’s (ADAK) budget. The World Anti-Doping Agency has raised alarms about how the reduced funding could affect Kenya’s fight against doping.

Korir emphasized the far-reaching consequences of doping, especially for young athletes, urging those who introduce such harmful practices to understand their lasting mental and physical damage.