The Ugandan runner represented her country in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics
Rebecca Cheptegei has died just days after being doused with petrol and set on fire.
The Olympic marathon runner, who finished 44th for Uganda just last month at Paris 2024, was allegedly attacked by her former boyfriend at her home in Endebess, Western Kenya.
Cheptegei suffered burns to 75% of her body and she was reportedly rescued by neighbours when the incident occurred.
The Ugandan was subsequently taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and was in critical condition.
Cheptegei has now sadly succumbed to those injuries and passed away at the age of 33.
Dr Owen Menach, the head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, told local media that the athlete had died after all her organs failed.
Her father Joseph Cheptegei stated that he wants “justice for my daughter” and that he had “never seen such an inhumane act in his life”.
Rebecca Cheptegei in Budapest (Getty)
The Ugandan athletics federation added: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
Cheptegei’s former boyfriend is in intensive care with burns but is now in a stable condition.
A report filed by a local administrator in the region said that the former boyfriend had attacked Cheptegei due to a disagreement over the land in which her home was built on.
Trans Nzoia County’s police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom told journalists that “the couple were heard quarrelling outside their house” and that “the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her”.
As well as competing in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and last year’s World Championships in Budapest., Cheptegei also won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Agnes Tirop’s memorial (Getty)
She is the latest victim in attacks across female athletes in Kenya.
Back in October 2021 Agnes Tirop, who was a double world 10,000m medallist and a previous holder of the women’s-only world 10km record, was found stabbed to death.
In the wake of her killing, Tirop’s Angels was founded – an organisation founded by Kenyan athletes and Tirop’s family – to stand in unity against gender-based violence.
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