This archive report was first published on 22 October 2021.
Kenya's female athletes have achieved remarkable success in the world of distance running, but behind the scenes, they face immense pressures that can have devastating consequences.
Agnes Tirop's tragic death at the age of 25 has brought attention to the financial exploitation and toxic relationships that many young women athletes experience.
According to Mary Keitany, a four-time New York marathon champion, women athletes often bear the burden of their families' financial needs, with some being forced to drop out of school prematurely to compete in overseas races.
Keitany, who has spoken out about the issue, said: 'Women athletes bear the burden of the whole family.'
Former world marathon record holder Tegla Loroupe has also spoken out about the issue, stating that women runners in Kenya are preyed upon by disreputable men.
Agents often pay off families to convince them to force the girls to drop out of school prematurely and compete in overseas races, Loroupe said.
Wilfred Bungei, a gold medallist in the men's 800m race at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has also spoken out about the issue, stating that young athletes struggle to cope with the fame and money that comes with success.
Kenya's Athletics Federation has taken steps to address the issue, including holding a workshop in early December to discuss women's economic and social rights in marriage and other intimate relationships.
However, observers say much more needs to be done to support the women whose hard work has given the East African nation so much to cheer about.
