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Kenyan marathoner Joan Nancy Rotich has come forward with a painful account of how she lost Ksh 11 million, a sum she earned from her career on the tracks. 

In an emotional video shared by Kenyans.co.ke, Rotich opened up about how her ex-boyfriend and her agent betrayed her trust, leaving her in financial ruin.

Once a renowned figure in the world of marathons, Rotich represented Kenya in top competitions such as the Taipei Marathon and the Jakarta Marathon in the early 2010s. 

During her prime, she was a force to be reckoned with. But things have changed drastically for the athlete, as she now claims to be living in hardship after her finances were mishandled.

"The money I won, I gave to my ex. I thought he loved me," Rotich shared. 

She explained how she used her winnings to buy two tour cars, only for her ex-partner to have them registered under his name. 

This marked the beginning of her heartbreak. "I bought two tour cars, and the guy put his name on those cars," she added. 

Rotich also mentioned that she had plans to build a home with her ex, but unfortunately, he claimed everything they had built together as his own.

But the betrayal didn’t end with her ex. Rotich also revealed how her agent took advantage of her trust. 

After winning Ksh 1.6 million at the Doha Marathon in Qatar in 2018, Rotich was convinced by her agent to transfer the money into his bank account. 

"The agent cheated us into depositing the money in his account. 

The guy is in Germany now. I'm trying to reach him, but he keeps telling me there is nowhere I'll take him," Rotich said, still searching for justice.

This heartbreaking tale has brought attention to the exploitation that many athletes, especially women, face in the sports industry. 

In response to such issues, the World Athletics Council, through its Athletes' Commission and Gender Leadership Taskforce, has promised to address these challenges by raising awareness, providing education, and lobbying for change.

Despite the hardships, Rotich remains hopeful. 

"I’m still planning to compete in marathons," she said. The Athletes Welfare Initiative Kenya has shown interest in helping her seek justice and support her on her journey.