Jairus Birech, one of Kenya’s most accomplished steeplechasers and a 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medalist, has died.
The 32-year-old passed away on Thursday night following an illness. His last competitive appearance was at the 2020 Guadalajara Marathon in Mexico.
Birech rose to global prominence in 2014, a breakout year in which he clocked an impressive personal best of 7:58.41 in the 3000m steeplechase at the Brussels Diamond League.
That time ranked him among the top 10 fastest steeplechasers in history.
A dominant force in his discipline, Birech captured back-to-back Diamond League trophies in 2014 and 2015, asserting his supremacy with victories in major meets including Rome, Oslo, Lausanne, Birmingham, and Monaco.
He also claimed the African Championships gold medal in 2014, winning in Marrakech with a time of 8:34.79.
Birech’s passing marks a significant loss for Kenyan athletics and the global track and field community.
