In the quietude of his home in Eldoret, Kenya, two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge recounts a harrowing period when a spate of online trolling and unfounded accusations concerning the tragic death of fellow marathoner Kelvin Kiptum left him and his family in fear for their lives.
The world of athletics, which usually celebrates human endurance and spirit, was tarnished when some social media users implicated Kipchoge in the fatal car crash that killed Kiptum in February.
Kiptum had recently set a world record and appeared poised to challenge Kipchoge’s dominance in marathon racing. This baseless speculation led to a surge of online abuse targeting Kipchoge.
Describing his ordeal, Kipchoge, 39, shared how the false rumors circulated widely on social media, leading to threats against his and his family’s safety.
“I was shocked that people [on] social media platforms are saying ‘Eliud is involved in the death of this boy’,” Eliud Kipchoge.
“That was my worst news ever in my life,” Kipchoge told BBC Sport Africa. He faced threats ranging from arson against his training camp and other investments to terrifying personal threats against his family.
The marathon champion’s response to the abuse was rooted in a fear for his family’s well-being. He took immediate precautions, ensuring his children’s safety by altering their daily routines, including stopping them from biking and personally driving them to and from school.
“Sometimes they bike around, but we had to stop them because you never know what will happen,” he explained.
The emotional impact was profound, not just on Kipchoge but also on his family, including his mother, who resides in a local area in Kenya.
The spread of misinformation through social media reached her, prompting Kipchoge to ensure her wellbeing. The conversations with his mother, though fraught with worry, also brought him courage during this difficult time.
Amidst the turmoil, Kipchoge noted a significant shift in his personal and professional life. He disclosed that he lost about 90% of his friends and even sensed a change in behavior from his training mates.
This isolation was compounded by his decision to stay off social media, although he refused to delete his accounts.
“If I delete my accounts then it shows that there is something I am hiding. I will keep my accounts. I did not do anything,” he stated firmly.
The fallout from these accusations also took a toll on his athletic performance. Kipchoge competed in the Tokyo Marathon on March 3, marking his lowest finish since his debut in 2013.
He placed 10th, a result he attributes to the stress and sleepless nights caused by the ongoing abuse. “It was my worst ever position,” he admitted.
Despite these challenges, Kipchoge remains undeterred in his athletic ambitions. He was recently named to Kenya’s marathon team for the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he aims to secure an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal.
“It’s about getting up and going straight again, to your goal,” he reflected, demonstrating the resilience that has characterized his career.
Kipchoge also criticized the slow response of social media platforms in addressing such abusive behavior. He believes that more proactive measures should be taken to safeguard individuals from similar harassment.
“They should act fast, get the facts, delete accounts. People [should] know that if you say something which is not good then your account will be deleted,” he urged.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has responded to these concerns by announcing plans to employ artificial intelligence to detect and address abusive posts against athletes during the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Kipchoge welcomed this move, hoping it marks a significant step towards protecting athletes from the kind of abuse that has left a lasting scar on his life and career.
Kipchoge’s experience underscores the darker side of social media and the impact of its misuse on public figures and their families.
As he prepares for the next Olympics, his story is a poignant reminder of the personal costs of fame and the need for greater accountability in the digital world.
