"It is with great shock that we learnt of his death. He was a great athlete of course coming from a family with strong roots in athletics. He had a bright future in the sport and could have been a great coach or talent searcher in the Maasai had he lived longer," said Kiplagat.

Patrick's life will however, not lack controversies. He was primed to succeed his brother Billy as the new world champion but problems with beer caused him an early retirement after he won Kenyan trials for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but ailed and missed the Olympics. He never recovered to gain his form.

"He had his weakness, but over and all, he will be remembered for his philanthropic aspect. He wanted all to succeed and would go an extra mile to encourage others to train as hard as he did so they would succeed in top races," said Billy.

A third born in a family of ten -- brother Billy is the eldest with a sister Jane in between -- Patrick only had one chance to compete against his elder brother in a top athletics meeting in Hengelo in 2000 before he hung up his spikes.

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