03:30The funeral of former World Athletics Championship medalist Kipyegon Bett was held in Kiptere, in Kenya's Kericho county, following his death at the age of 26 last week.
Bett's brother implored society to "look into the mental health of athletes" to prevent such untimely deaths.
"It's sad to report that my brother died because of depression. Depression led him to alcoholism, alcoholism gave him a chronic health disease and that was the cause of his death," he explained, adding "I am very sure if depression was captured at the beginning, we would not be here."
Fellow locals shared messages of support, advising young people to avoid drug abuse and be ready to discuss mental health challenges with those around them.
"Young people must try all means to avoid depression and in any case they have a problem they must open up to their parents or even friends in order to prevent such deaths," said one.
"I would like to advise young people to completely stop drug abuse as it has led to Bett’s death because of depression," said another.
After winning at the under-20 world championships in 2016, Bett was considered one of Kenya's most promising middle-distance runners. He won the bronze medal in 800 metres at the World Athletics Championship in 2017.
In August 2018, the 26-year-old was suspended from all competitions for four years by the World Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug erythropoietin. Bett always denied having used the banned substance, which stimulates blood circulation.
Bett was hospitalised in his hometown of Kericho in early October before passing away last week from renal and hepatic failure, according to his family.
Kenyan athletics has been plagued by doping scandals for years, with dozens of athletes from the East African country subject to sanctions in the last three years.
Since the beginning of October two other Kenyan athletes have passed away, including former middle-distance runner Clement Kemboi who committed suicide and former long-distance runner Samson Kandie, who was attacked at his home by unknown assailants.
'Look into mental health of athletes'- Funeral held in Kenya for 2017 World Athletics Championship medalist Kipyegon Bett
The funeral of former World Athletics Championship medalist Kipyegon Bett was held in Kiptere, in Kenya's Kericho county, following his death at the age of 26 last week.
Bett's brother implored society to "look into the mental health of athletes" to prevent such untimely deaths.
"It's sad to report that my brother died because of depression. Depression led him to alcoholism, alcoholism gave him a chronic health disease and that was the cause of his death," he explained, adding "I am very sure if depression was captured at the beginning, we would not be here."
Fellow locals shared messages of support, advising young people to avoid drug abuse and be ready to discuss mental health challenges with those around them.
"Young people must try all means to avoid depression and in any case they have a problem they must open up to their parents or even friends in order to prevent such deaths," said one.
"I would like to advise young people to completely stop drug abuse as it has led to Bett’s death because of depression," said another.
After winning at the under-20 world championships in 2016, Bett was considered one of Kenya's most promising middle-distance runners. He won the bronze medal in 800 metres at the World Athletics Championship in 2017.
In August 2018, the 26-year-old was suspended from all competitions for four years by the World Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug erythropoietin. Bett always denied having used the banned substance, which stimulates blood circulation.
Bett was hospitalised in his hometown of Kericho in early October before passing away last week from renal and hepatic failure, according to his family.
Kenyan athletics has been plagued by doping scandals for years, with dozens of athletes from the East African country subject to sanctions in the last three years.
Since the beginning of October two other Kenyan athletes have passed away, including former middle-distance runner Clement Kemboi who committed suicide and former long-distance runner Samson Kandie, who was attacked at his home by unknown assailants.
The funeral of former World Athletics Championship medalist Kipyegon Bett was held in Kiptere, in Kenya's Kericho county, following his death at the age of 26 last week.
Bett's brother implored society to "look into the mental health of athletes" to prevent such untimely deaths.
"It's sad to report that my brother died because of depression. Depression led him to alcoholism, alcoholism gave him a chronic health disease and that was the cause of his death," he explained, adding "I am very sure if depression was captured at the beginning, we would not be here."
Fellow locals shared messages of support, advising young people to avoid drug abuse and be ready to discuss mental health challenges with those around them.
"Young people must try all means to avoid depression and in any case they have a problem they must open up to their parents or even friends in order to prevent such deaths," said one.
"I would like to advise young people to completely stop drug abuse as it has led to Bett’s death because of depression," said another.
After winning at the under-20 world championships in 2016, Bett was considered one of Kenya's most promising middle-distance runners. He won the bronze medal in 800 metres at the World Athletics Championship in 2017.
In August 2018, the 26-year-old was suspended from all competitions for four years by the World Athletics Integrity Unit after testing positive for the performance-enhancing drug erythropoietin. Bett always denied having used the banned substance, which stimulates blood circulation.
Bett was hospitalised in his hometown of Kericho in early October before passing away last week from renal and hepatic failure, according to his family.
Kenyan athletics has been plagued by doping scandals for years, with dozens of athletes from the East African country subject to sanctions in the last three years.
Since the beginning of October two other Kenyan athletes have passed away, including former middle-distance runner Clement Kemboi who committed suicide and former long-distance runner Samson Kandie, who was attacked at his home by unknown assailants.