Kenya’s world record holder Agnes Tirop, two-times a world championship bronze medallist, has been found dead at her home.

The 25-year-old distance runner represented Kenya in the 5,000m event at the Tokyo Olympics and finished fourth in the final after clocking 14:39.62.

Athletics Kenya said it was still working to uncover details of the incident but it had been informed of Tirop’s death. The governing body added: “We are still working to unearth more details surrounding her demise.

“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.”

Last month, Tirop smashed the women-only 10km world record in Germany, crossing the line in 30:01 to shave 28 seconds from the previous record held by Morocco’s Asmae Leghzaoui from 2002.

Tirop won bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 world championships in the 10,000m event, and also won the 2015 world cross country championships.