Olympic athlete dies days after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died a few days after her release at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, who poured gasoline on her and set her on fire.

The 33-year-old marathon runner from Uganda, who recently took part in the Olympic Games in Paris, suffered severe burns in the attack on Sunday.

Authorities in northwest Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and was educated, said she was targeted after returning home from church.

A local administrator reported that the athlete and her ex-partner had argued over a piece of land. Police said an investigation was ongoing.

The increasing number of cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya is a cause for concern. Several female athletes have been killed in recent years.

Speaking to reporters outside the hospital where she was being treated, her father, Joseph Cheptegei, said he had lost a daughter who had been a “great support” to him and called on the Kenyan government to ensure justice is done.

Dr. Owen Menach, head of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, told local media that the athlete died of organ failure.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the death this morning of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was tragically the victim of domestic violence. As an association, we condemn such acts and demand justice. May her soul rest in peace,” Uganda’s Athletics Federation said in a post on X.

Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend was also hospitalized, albeit with less severe burns. He is still in intensive care, but his condition is “recovering and stable,” Dr. Menach said.

“The couple was heard arguing outside their house. During the argument, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman and then burning her,” local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom was quoted as saying by local media.

Ms Cheptegei, who hails from a region just across the border in Uganda, is said to have bought a piece of land in Transnzoia County and built a house to be close to Kenya’s numerous sports training centres.

“This was a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will live on,” The head of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, said on X.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters earlier this week that he was praying “for justice for my daughter,” adding that he had never witnessed such an inhumane act in his life.

At the recent Olympic Games in Paris, Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon.

She also won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Her death came two years after the murders of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua; in both cases, authorities identified their partners as prime suspects.

Tirop’s husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, while the manhunt for Mutua’s boyfriend continues.