Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-02-27 08:07:14
The Cameroon Athletics Federation, in a delayed statement released on Monday, February 26, clarified misinformation regarding the identity of a Kenyan athlete who died after completing the Mount Cameroon Race on Saturday.
Charles Kipsang Kipkorir, 32, collapsed and passed away at the Molyko Omnisport Stadium hours after crossing the finish line in a race that saw over 600 athletes participating on February 24.
Contrary to Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai’s statement that the deceased athlete Charles Kipsang was leading the race, the Athletics Federation stated that the race was actually led for a significant period by Kenyan athlete Cheboi William Rutto.
The Governor had been misinformed by his sources, and the Athletics Federation, which oversaw the race directly, did not improve the situation by issuing a statement two days later.
According to the Federation, at the end of the race, while athletes were collecting their rewards, Kenyan athlete Charles Kipsang Kipkorir, who was number 229 and ranked 16th at the end of the race, collapsed. Medical teams immediately responded to assist him, but he passed away during his transfer to Buea Regional Hospital.
In response, a psychological assistance unit was set up to support the other Kenyan athletes who participated in the race, as well as all the athletes involved.
Charles Kipsang was one of the 19 Kenyan athletes who registered for the 29th edition of the Mount Cameroon Race this year.
His sudden death, attributed to a suspected heart attack, shocked the Cameroonian community who had witnessed a successful race.
Initially, Charles Kipsang was mistaken for another Kenyan marathoner, William Rutto, who had been leading but slowed down close to the finish line due to muscle cramps. Rutto ultimately finished sixth in a race won by Cameroonian runner Elvis Nsabinla.
The misinformation that confused Kipsang for Rutto stemmed from the Governor’s statement made during a press interview after visiting the Buea Regional Hospital where Kipsang’s body was kept.
Despite other accurate information provided during the interview, the Governor incorrectly stated that Kipsang was the initial leader of the race, instead of Rutto.
Numerous local and international media outlets, including the Chinese news agency Xinhua and Kenyan news website The Nation, also perpetuated the misinformation by quoting the Governor’s statement.
The incident has sparked concerns about the accuracy of the information sources for the Governor and the Cameroon Athletics Federation.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
