Ugandan Runner Rebecca Cheptegei dead. News. Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital after suffering severe burns from an attack by her partner on Sunday. The 33-year-old Cheptegei had been receiving care at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Owen Menach, a spokesperson, confirmed her death on Thursday.
Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympics Committee, posted on X: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei due to a brutal attack by her boyfriend. We strongly condemn violence against women. This senseless act has taken a great athlete from us, but her legacy will endure.”
According to Trans-Nzoia County police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought petrol, poured it on her, and set her on fire. “Neighbors heard them arguing outside their house. During the fight, the boyfriend poured a liquid on her and then ignited it,” Kosiom told the Standard newspaper in Kenya. Ndiema also suffered serious burns and is being treated at the same hospital as Cheptegei.
Cheptegei’s parents mentioned that she had bought land in Trans-Nzoia to be close to athletic training centers. The local police chief reported that the couple had been arguing over the land before the fire started.
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Last month, Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and was 14th in the event at last year’s world championships in Budapest. In 2022, she won the mountain race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.