Kenyans led by President Uhuru Kenyatta took to twitter to mourn the untimely death of athletics “hero” Nicholas Bett.
The 28-year-old former World 400m hurdles champion died from a cash crash in his hometown of Nandi.
Uhuru said he was “deeply” saddened by the death saying Bett “earned the country great honours in his outstanding victories.”
“My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives and friends,” the Head of State tweeted.
https://twitter.com/UKenyatta/status/1027108137134956545
His deputy William Ruto said the death was “tragic” and “a big loss to his family and the global athletics fraternity.”
“He made history in 2015 by being the first Kenyan gold medalist over the short distance in Beijing, China,” Ruto said.
The passing on of World Champion Nicholas Bett is tragic and a big loss to his family, friends, Kenya and the global athletics fraternity. He made history in 2015 by being the first Kenyan gold medallist over a short distance in Beijing, China. pic.twitter.com/YNuon2iQCo
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 8, 2018
National Olympics Kenya (NOC Kenya) led the athletics world in mourning one of their own as they described him a “hero.”
Kenya mourns 😞😞
FORMER 400M hurdles world champion Nicholas Bett dies in a road crash in Nandi. Condolences to the family and Friends. We have lost a hero pic.twitter.com/lMB9u91bHa— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) August 8, 2018
The IAAF is deeply saddened and shocked to hear that Kenya’s 2015 world 400m hurdles champion Nicholas Bett, 28, died in a car accident on Tuesday (7). RIP.
More info: https://t.co/ruJsHmOJib pic.twitter.com/bITRrrlpnf
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 8, 2018
2013 World Championships 5000m silver medalist Mercy Cherono and other athletes also tweeted their condolences.
It is a sad morning to athletic fraternity following the loss our own Nicholas Bett, former 400M hurdles World Champion. I wish send my deep condolences to his family. Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/xdRILp73vV
— Mercy Cherono (@Mercherono) August 8, 2018
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