Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died at a hospital in Kenya days after being set on fire by her boyfriend in a horrific attack. Cheptegei had recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, coming in 44th place.
Per the Guardian, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, where the 33-year-old had been receiving treatment, confirmed her death on Thursday. Cheptegei had sustained burns to 80 percent of her body. Her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, had also been injured in the attack and was being treated at the same hospital.
According to Trans-Nzoia police head Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Ndiema had poured a container of gasoline on Cheptegei and set her on fire. The couple had reportedly been heard arguing shortly after the athlete returned from church with her two children about land she had purchased in Trans Nzoia county to build a home closer to the athletic training centers of Kenya.
"The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her," Kosiom told a local newspaper in Kenya. "The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns."
Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympics Committee, condemned the violence against Cheptegei in a statement posted to social media on Thursday.
"We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend," Rukare wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure."
We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a… pic.twitter.com/V8Mog3oMOX
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