Top officials from Adidas led by Jeniffer Thomas, the vice-president for global sports marketing for running visited the home of the late marathoner Agnes Tirop.
Tirop was the former World Athletics Cross Country Championships winner.
She was found dead at her Iten home in Elgeyo Marakwet on October 13, 2021. Her estranged husband Ibrahim Rotich is in police custody after denying murder charges in court.
The Adidas officials, who were accompanied by the Tirop’s Angels Foundation officials, planted trees near the fallen heroine’s grave in her memory.
The foundation’s chairperson long distance runner Viola Lagat said that gender-based violence is still on the rise despite people sweeping the issue under the carpet.
She said that there is need to step up the fight.
“We are just at the first step to create awareness on the GBV which has been witnessed in the past and led to the loss of our hard working athlete whose star had just started shining.
In the next few years, GBV should be something of the past. Our goal is to reach out to everyone to speak up and fight the menace in the community. Those affected should come out and speak,” said Lagat.
Jeniffer Thomas from Adidas said that she will remember the late Tirop as one of the most hard working athletes and champion of champions.
“We are honoured to be here to see their home, to see the community and to share a little bit of love for a past champion. I didn’t know her as well as my co-worker did but Agnes always had a big smile on her face.”
Deputy Governor Nandi county- Dr. Yulita Chebotip Cheruiyot revealed there will be a marathon in memory of Tirop.
Through her socials she announced.
“Agnes Tirop Fun Run and Ride has been scheduled to take place at Koitaleel Samoei University College on March 5th, 2023.
The event is in memory of the late Agnes Tirop whose life was brought to a tragic end by Gender Based Violence (GBV) and shall seek to campaign against GBV and promote peaceful co-existence among couples.
The event is supported by Adidas and organized by Tirop’s Angels in partnership with the County Government of Nandi Athletics Kenya, Koitaleel Samoei University College, Rural Women Peace Link among others.
Today I received the Adidas VP in Charge of Marketing Ms. Jennifer Thomas who paid courtesy call at Koitaleel Samoei University College and Agnes Tirop’s family.”
