Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died from her injuries in a Kenyan hospital after being assaulted by her lover over the weekend, leaving her with 80% body burns.
The Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret City was where the patient was receiving treatment for 33-year-old Cheptegei. Owen Menach, a spokesman, confirmed her death on Thursday.
“We have been informed of the sad demise of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei after a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Donald Rukare, head of the Uganda Olympics Committee, said in a post on X. Violence against women is condemned, and we pray that her friendly soul may rest in peace. A great loss of an athlete for such a heinous, silly crime. Her legacy will live on for life.
A police report further indicated that Cheptegei’s lover, Dickson Ndiema, bought a litre of petrol and splashed her with it before setting her ablaze. Police chief for Trans-Nzoia County Jeremiah Ole Kosiom said the statement on Monday. The lovers were reportedly caught up in an argument outside the house. During the argument, the lover was seen to splash some liquid on the woman as people watched, Kosiom revealed to Kenyan newspaper Standard. “The suspect sustained serious burns when he was caught in the fire.” Ndiema and Cheptegei were admitted to the same hospital.
The parents of Cheptegei explained that their daughter bought land in Trans-Nzoia so she could be near most of the training sport facilities in the country. A report presented before the local police chief said the couple was heard fighting over the property on which the house was built before the fire began.
He came 14th in the marathon at last year’s world championships in Budapest, and came 44th in the same event at last month’s Olympics in Paris. She had won the mountain race in Thailand during the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
