Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat found dead in Kenya

Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat has been found dead in Kenya, police said Sunday, with local media reports saying he had been murdered.

The Kenyan-born Kiplagat, 34, had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, including several Olympic Games and World Championships.

World Athletics is shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Benjamin Kiplagat. We send our deepest condolences to his friends, family, teammates and fellow athletes. Our thoughts are with them all at this difficult time. https://t.co/x74j5xRvex pic.twitter.com/XvW8k5Gwss

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 31, 2023

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His body was found in a car on Saturday night on the outskirts of the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, home to many athletes.

“An investigation has been launched and officers are on the ground pursuing leads,” local police commander Stephen Okal told reporters in Eldoret.

He said Kiplagat’s body had a deep knife wound to his neck, suggesting he was stabbed.