A Ugandan Olympic athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, died on Thursday after she was doused in petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend. Cheptegei, 33, died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after sustaining 80 percent burns on her body. She participated in the marathon in Paris Olympics only last month.
Cheptegei was receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city after the incident on Sunday. The marathon runner and her boyfriend were involved in a heated argument over a land dispute before she was set on fire, according to AP news agency.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, according to AP, said on Monday that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement on Sunday. Ndiema was also burned and was being treated at the same hospital.
The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed Cheptegei's death in a post on X, formerly Twitter. It also condemned the 'domestic violence' and called for justice for the marathon runner.
"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," the statement read. On Wednesday, the Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed that Cheptegei was hospitalised in Eldoret after her Kenyan boyfriend set her on fire.
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s athletics training centres. A report filed by the local chief stated that the couple was heard fighting over the land where the house was built before the fire started.
Rebecca began her athletic journey in 2010, initially specialising in middle-distance running. Over the years, she expanded her repertoire to include long-distance events, particularly the marathon.
She qualified for her Olympic debut in the marathon after setting a personal best of 2:22:47s at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in December 2022. She went on to represent Uganda in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, finishing 44th in the women's marathon.
In addition to her Olympic appearance, Cheptegei has achieved notable success in various marathon events. She won the Padova marathon in Italy in 2022 with a time of 2:31:21s, marking her first major marathon victory.
