The name Pamela Jelimo definitely rings a bell to the avid sports fans as she dominated the athletics industry from 2008 to 2012.
The star athlete came from humble beginnings to bag millions in international events - which led to her star rising to become a global phenomenon etching closer to legendary status with the likes of acclaimed veteran Eliud Kipchoge.
However, years later, the athlete stepped out of the limelight and has never been seen since- with many fans wondering what happened to the sensational athlete.
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Her story dates back to 1989 when she was born in a small village in Nandi. Jelimo was raised by a single mother in a family of three brothers and six sisters. Her passion for running began aged 13 at Koyo Secondary school in Kapsabet, where she won different school championships.
A teacher at the school, one time intimated to the media that Jelimo would frequently compete with the boys as she felt the girls didn't offer her the competition she deserved.
Her mother lacked the funds needed to pay Jelimo's school fees hence the athlete endeavoured to sell milk in order to make ends meet. The school's headmaster also donated funds for Jelimo to attend Kenya's Centre for Excellence for distance running.
This motivated her to work hard on her craft- clinching a fifth place at the 400 metres at the Kenyan Championships in her first race.
Determined to keep improving, Jelimo later won the 400 metres gold medal at the Africa Junior Championships.
Her coach at the time, Zaid Kipkemboi Aziz, insisted that the athlete should switch to 800 metres- arguing that she would find greater success at the race.
Jelimo obliged and also got employment as a police constable at Embu police station, earning Ksh11,000 a month.
She continued breaking records in various events such as the 2008 African Championships, Hengelo Grand Prix and the 800 metres race in Paris- all in one year.
According to the world athletics site, the prize money for these events is an average of Ksh22 million each.
Her shining moment came later that year in August when she clinched the Athletics Federation Golden League Jackpot in Brussels, Belgium. The amount totalled about Ksh70 million - making her the youngest to bag such a lucrative amount aged 19.
Jelimo continued with her unbeaten streak and bagged more millions- setting records in the world junior record in Zurich with 1:54:01. This earned a spot in the top three fastest athletes of all time for the 800 metres race.
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She made an indelible mark with high expectations set for the young star. However, to the surprise of many, Jelimo went mute and quietly withdrew herself from the racing event.
The final race that she participated in was the 800m Night of Athletics event held in Zurich, Switzerland in July 2012-where she emerged in first place.
During a recent media interview, Jelimo noted that she had taken some time off from the sport but denied retiring.
Despite her success and wealth, she never left her job at the National Police Service. She currently works as a police instructor at the Kenya Police Training College based in Kiganjo, Nyeri.