'So sad': Kenyan runner Agnes Tirop's stabbing death rocks world

The sporting world has been left shocked and devastated after the body of world record holder Agnes Tirop was found at her home in Kenya.

Kenyan police have confirmed that the 25-year-old's husband is a suspect in the alleged murder, after Tirop was found with stab wounds inside her Iten home.

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Authorities detailed the horrific scene laid out before them after arriving at the couple's home.

Police confirmed that Tirop's husband Ibrahim Rotich is still at large and wanted for questioning.

"When [police] got in the house, they found Tirop on the bed and there was a pool of blood on the floor," Tom Makori, head of police for the area, was quoted by the BBC as saying.

"They saw she had been stabbed in the neck, which led us to believe it was a knife wound, and we believe that is what caused her death.

"Her husband is still at large, and preliminary investigations tell us her husband is a suspect because he cannot be found. Police are trying to find her husband so he can explain what happened to Tirop."

Kenya's Tirop won bronze at the world championships over 10,000 metres in 2017 and 2019, and finished fourth in the 5,000m at the recent Tokyo Olympic Games.

Only last month, she set the 10km world record for women's only races, continuing a brilliant career which saw her become world cross country champion in 2015 when aged only 19.

"Kenya has lost a jewel who was one of the fastest-rising athletics giants on the international stage, thanks to her eye-catching performances on the track," AK said.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said her death was "unsettling, utterly unfortunate and very sad."

"It is even more painful that Agnes, a Kenyan hero by all measures, painfully lost her young life through a criminal act perpetuated by selfish and cowardly people," he said.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach described Tirop as "a young and bright talent", adding: "Her performances at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 gave hope and inspiration to so many people. My thoughts go to the Kenyan Olympic community and especially to her friends and family."

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, said: "Athletics has lost one of its brightest young stars in the most tragic circumstances.

"This is a terrible blow to the entire athletics community, but especially to her family, her friends and Athletics Kenya and I send them all our most heartfelt condolences."

Similar tributes have been pouring in on social media as the world reacts to the runner's shocking death.

with AAP

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