Ethiopian long-distance runner Yebrgual Melese has died at the age of 36 after falling ill during routine training on Tuesday, the country’s athletics federation announced.
Melese, winner of the Houston, Prague and Shanghai marathons, was preparing for a race in Ottawa on May 24.
According to local media reports, he experienced a sudden medical emergency in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The woman was rushed to hospital but died despite the efforts of medical staff.
No further details have been made public.
“The Ethiopian Athletics Federation expresses its deep sorrow over the sudden passing of this heroic athlete and offers its condolences to her family, friends and fans,” the governing body said in a statement.
Melese’s most recent competitive outing came in a marathon in Beijing, which he failed to finish, in May last year.
Her best finish in one of the seven World Marathon Majors came in 2015, the same year as her victories in Houston and Prague, when she finished second in the Chicago Marathon.