Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend. The Rebecca Cheptegei death serves as a reminder of the dangers many individuals face. #RebeccaCheptegeiDeath
The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, had suffered extensive burns after Sunday’s attack.
Authorities in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, reported that she was targeted after returning home from church.
A local administrator reported that the athlete and her ex-partner had been wrangling over a piece of land. Police are investigating.
There are concerns about the increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya. Cheptegei is the third to have been killed since October 2021.
Speaking to journalists outside the hospital, her father, Joseph Cheptegei, said he lost a supportive daughter. He urged the Kenyan government to ensure justice.
Dr Owen Menach, the head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, told local media that the athlete had died after all her organs failed.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn these acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace,” Uganda’s athletics federation said in a post on X.
Cheptegei’s former boyfriend was also admitted to the hospital – but with less severe burns. He is still in intensive care but his condition was “improving and stable”, Dr Menach said.
She also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
Furthermore, the Rebecca Cheptegei death tragically highlights the urgent need for stronger protections against domestic violence. #RebeccaCheptegeiDeath
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