Died: Kipyegon Bett, 26
On October 06, in Bomet, Kenya. The ’17 WC 800 bronze medalist was the World Junior champion in ’16, the year he ran his PR of 1:43.76. He World Ranked twice, with a No. 3 in ’17. He did not return to the sport after receiving a 4-year ban for a positive EPO test in ’18.
Died: Laine Erik, 82
On October 06. Competing for the Soviet Union, the Estonian finished 6th in the ’64 Olympic 800. She World Ranked 3 times, with a No. 4 in ’67.
Died: Samson Kandie, 53
On October 04, in Eldoret, Kenya; killed in a home invasion. The winner of the ’04 Vienna Marathon, he represented Kenya in the ’01 Worlds. His PR of 2:08:31 came in ’99.
Died: Clement Kemboi, 32
On October 04, in Iten, Kenya; by suspected suicide. Ranked No. 8 in the steeple in ’15, he was the All-Africa Games champion that year. Ran his PR of 8:10.65 in ’16.
Died: Teresa Nowak, 82
In October. A 2-time European medalist in the 100H for Poland, she World-Ranked 8 times and was No. 2 in ’74.
Died: Aleksandr Puchkov, 67
On October 09, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He won 110H bronze at the ’80 Moscow Olympics. A 2-time World Ranker, he was No. 6 in ’79.
Died: Nereo Svara, 88
On September 09, in Trieste, Italy. He was a semifinalist in the ’60 Olympics 110H, and World Ranked No. 7 in ’61.
Died: Géjza Valent, 71
On October 06. The Czech discus thrower won bronze in the ’83 Worlds, and placed 6th in the ’88 Olympics. A 5-time World Ranker, his best was the No. 3 he earned in ’83.
Died: Eileen Vanisi, 52
On September 26, in Dallas, Texas; of a blood infection while awaiting a triple organ transplant. The 3-time NCAA shot champion for the Longhorns placed 11th in the World Indoor in ’95. She was a 7-time U.S. Ranker, with No. 4s in ’94 & ’95.