Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, is in critical condition at a Kenyan hospital after allegedly being attacked by a former boyfriend who doused her with petrol and set her on fire. Cheptegei, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, suffered extensive burns and is receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.
The incident occurred at her home in the small town of Endebess, where she had been training. Cheptegei was returning from church with her two children when the alleged attack took place. Neighbors rescued her after hearing the commotion, and both Cheptegei and the alleged attacker, who also sustained burns, were rushed to the hospital. Local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom reported that the couple had been quarrelling over a piece of land, which may have led to the altercation.
This tragic incident highlights a disturbing pattern of violence against female athletes in Kenya. In April 2022, Damaris Mutua was found strangled in Iten, and in October 2021, record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death, allegedly by their partners.
Cheptegei, who has won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and recently finished 44th in the Olympic marathon, is currently sedated due to the severity of her injuries. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his hope for justice for his daughter as investigations into the attack continue.
The rising violence against athletes in Kenya underscores a broader issue of gender-based violence that has claimed the lives of multiple athletes, sparking urgent calls for greater protections and accountability.
