Kenyan athlete, Felix Korir, has recounted how his gesture to a young fan at the recently concluded 2022 World Athletics Under 20 Championships staged in Colombia made him an online sensation.
Photos of Korir giving his jersey to a Colombian boy went viral, with many lauding him for honouring the fan's wish.
Speaking to TeamKenya.co.ke, the Iten-based runner disclosed that it was the first time for someone to request his jersey.
"No one has ever asked me for my jersey before. When I saw the placard written in Swahili, I was really touched because finding something like that in a country like Colombia is not easy,” stated Korir.
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“I also did not expect my gesture to the boy to go viral. I was very surprised when I came across those images on social media platforms," he stated.
In images that were shared online, Korir is seen removing his Athletics Kenya (AK) jersey and handing it over to the young fan.
The boy's placard read “Habari, mimi pia ni mwanariadha, na ningejivunia kuvaa shati Kenya katika mbio zangu, ungenipa?” (Hello, I am an athlete too, and I will be proud to wear a Kenyan jersey during my races,” read the statement.
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“The young boy is very passionate about athletics. I hope the jersey will motivate him to become one of the best athletes in future,” Korir praised the young fan for his courageous act, adding that he wished him all the best in his future endeavours.
Korir finished second in the 3,000m race behind Ethiopia’s Melkeneh Azize to win a silver medal for Kenya.
The athlete clocked a personal best time of 7:47.86.