Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, has died days after being doused with petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend, according to Ugandan officials. She passed away due to multiple organ failure caused by extensive burns she sustained in the attack.
The incident occurred on Sunday at her home in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei had been living and training. She was returning from church with her two children when she was allegedly attacked by her ex-partner during a dispute over land. Local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom reported that the couple had been quarrelling before the boyfriend poured a flammable liquid on Cheptegei and set her on fire.
Cheptegei was initially rescued by neighbors and admitted to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. Despite medical efforts, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she succumbed to her injuries. Dr. Owen Menach, the hospital’s head, confirmed her death, stating that all her organs had failed.
The attack on Cheptegei has sparked outrage and grief, highlighting a disturbing pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. In a statement, Uganda’s athletics federation condemned the act, calling for justice and mourning the loss of a talented athlete. Donald Rukare, head of Uganda’s Olympic committee, described the attack as a “cowardly and senseless act” and vowed that Cheptegei’s legacy would endure.
Cheptegei’s death follows the tragic killings of other female athletes in East Africa, including Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, both of whom were allegedly murdered by their partners. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety of female athletes in the region and the failure to adequately condemn and address such deadly misogyny.
Cheptegei was a celebrated athlete, finishing 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics and winning gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2022. Her family, still reeling from the tragedy, has called for justice, with her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressing his heartbreak and disbelief over the inhumane act.
The investigation into Cheptegei’s death is ongoing, and her ex-partner, who also suffered burns but with less severe injuries, remains hospitalized. The tragic loss of Cheptegei has left a void in the athletic community, and her untimely death underscores the urgent need for action against gender-based violence.
