Two-time Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge has revealed the impact that online abuse has had on his career and mental health following the death of fellow Kenyan marathon runner Kelvin Kiptum.
Kiptum, who holds the marathon world record, died in a car crash aged 24 in February, and in an interview with BBC Sport Africa, Kipchoge said he feared for his family members' lives after social media users' speculation linked him to his compatriot's death.
"I was shocked that people [on] social media platforms are saying 'Eliud is involved in the death of this boy'," Kipchoge said. "That was my worst news ever in my life.
"I received a lot of bad things; that they will burn the [training] camp, they will burn my investments in town, they will burn my house, they will burn my family.
"It did not happen but that is how the world is."
Kipchoge added that he lost the majority of his friends over the abuse, including athletes he trained with.
"It was really painful for me to learn even from my own people, my training mates, those who I have contact with, and the bad words are coming from them," he added. "I was really down to see that."
The 39-year-old said the downturn in form he has suffered since Kiptum's death has been in part due to the abuse. Kipchoge finished 10th at the Tokyo marathon in March -- the worst result of his career since his debut in 2013.
"When I was in Tokyo I had three days which I did not sleep," he said. "It was my worst ever position."