Kipyegon Bett: How Drug Abuse and Depression Claimed a Once-Great Champion

In the world of sports, athletes are often revered for their physical prowess, their victories celebrated as milestones of human achievement. Yet, beneath the surface of glory and acclaim, there can lurk struggles that few are aware of—struggles that can lead even the brightest stars to tragic ends. Kipyegon Bett, once a promising young athlete from Kenya, serves as a painful reminder of the darker side of competitive sports, where mental health, doping scandals, and substance abuse can intertwine to devastating effect.

Bett, a talented 800-meter runner, first captured global attention in 2016 when he clinched victory at the World Under-20 Championships. His ascent seemed unstoppable as he quickly followed this triumph with a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships in London, solidifying his status as a rising star in the world of athletics. Yet, just a year later, his promising career was derailed by a doping scandal that would alter the course of his life.

In 2018, at just 20 years old, Bett was handed a four-year suspension after he refused to submit a doping sample and subsequently tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO), a banned substance commonly associated with endurance athletes looking to boost their performance. The ban came as a heavy blow, not only to Bett’s professional career but also to his sense of self-worth. The promising athlete who once stood on the world stage was suddenly cast out, and the isolation that followed would lead him down a path of destruction.

Bett’s doping suspension marked the beginning of a downward spiral. According to his family, the once-disciplined and focused athlete began drinking heavily and neglecting his health. His sister, Purity Kirui, tearfully recounted how his drinking habits worsened after the ban, accompanied by deepening bouts of depression. He withdrew from those around him, and despite his family’s efforts to intervene and steer him toward rehabilitation, Bett often disappeared for days at a time, evading their attempts to get him help.

The situation was exacerbated by the pressures that came with his suspension. As an elite athlete, Bett’s entire identity had been shaped around his athletic achievements. When the doping scandal took that away from him, it left a void that he struggled to fill. The mental strain of his suspension, combined with the stigma of being a banned athlete, weighed heavily on him. He felt alienated from the sport that had once brought him fame and respect, and the absence of that support network only deepened his sense of despair.

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Attempts to make a comeback were fraught with difficulties. Although his suspension ended in August 2022, allowing him to compete once again, Bett found it nearly impossible to regain his footing in the sport. His coach, Japheth Kemei, had high hopes that Bett would return to athletics once his ban was lifted. Bett had previously shown remarkable potential, even managing to defeat 800-meter world record holder David Rudisha in a race. However, the challenges he faced during his suspension, including his battles with addiction and mental health, ultimately proved too great.

Kemei pointed out that athletes who face doping bans often struggle with depression, and for some, the temptation to engage in behaviors that further jeopardize their careers becomes overwhelming. Bett’s case is a stark illustration of how difficult it can be for an athlete to rebuild their life after such a significant setback. While some athletes may have the resources and support systems in place to navigate these challenges, others, like Bett, find themselves sinking further into despair.

In Bett’s case, the lack of sufficient support systems compounded the problem. His family did their best to help him, with his sister recounting how they attempted to take him to rehabilitation centers, only for Bett to flee each time. His situation speaks to a broader issue within the world of athletics—particularly in Kenya—where the pressure to perform can sometimes overshadow the need for comprehensive mental health support for athletes. The focus on physical performance, coupled with the stigma surrounding mental health struggles, can lead to devastating consequences when athletes are unable to cope with setbacks such as injury, suspension, or loss of form.

Kenya has faced a growing problem with doping scandals in recent years, particularly following the 2016 Rio Olympics, which brought the issue to global attention. The Kenyan government and the country’s athletics federation have taken steps to address doping, with the establishment of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) being one of the most significant measures. However, the fight against doping has been hampered by budget cuts, with ADAK’s budget reduced from Ksh 288 million to Ksh 20 million in recent years. This has raised concerns about the future of clean sport in the nation, as reduced funding limits the agency’s ability to conduct comprehensive testing and education programs for athletes.

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Over 70 Kenyan athletes have been sanctioned for anti-doping violations in the past three years alone. While efforts to combat doping have been ramped up, the case of Kipyegon Bett highlights the broader consequences of these sanctions. When athletes are banned from the sport, it is not just their careers that are affected. For many, the psychological impact can be profound, as they are suddenly cut off from the sport that has defined their lives. Without the proper support, athletes may struggle to cope with the loss of their athletic identity, leading to mental health issues, substance abuse, and, in some cases, tragic outcomes.

Bett’s death serves as a somber reminder of the importance of addressing mental health issues in sports. His family had made plans to take him to a rehabilitation center in Kisumu before his untimely passing, but their efforts came too late. Bett’s story is not unique; there are countless athletes who, after experiencing setbacks in their careers, fall into similar patterns of addiction and depression. In Bett’s case, his isolation from the sport and the mental toll of his doping ban were contributing factors that ultimately led to his downfall.

The story of Kipyegon Bett shines a light on the complex relationship between mental health and sports, particularly for athletes who face career-threatening setbacks. It underscores the importance of providing athletes with the necessary support systems, not just to prevent doping but also to help them cope with the pressures of the sport and the potential consequences of failure. Bett’s story also serves as a reminder of the need for a holistic approach to athlete welfare, one that goes beyond physical performance and addresses the mental and emotional well-being of athletes.

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As the athletics world mourns the loss of a once-great champion, Bett’s legacy will be remembered not just for his achievements on the track, but also as a cautionary tale about the dangers of neglecting mental health in sports. His death raises important questions about the role of mental health support in competitive athletics and the responsibility of sports organizations to ensure that athletes have access to the resources they need to navigate the highs and lows of their careers.

The case of Kipyegon Bett is a tragic reminder that behind every athlete’s success story, there can be hidden struggles that, if left unaddressed, can lead to devastating outcomes. As the world of sports continues to grapple with issues like doping and mental health, Bett’s story will hopefully serve as a catalyst for change, encouraging greater awareness and support for athletes facing similar challenges.