Olympic athlete dies days after being set alight by ex-boyfriend

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fireplace by a former boyfriend, Ugandan officers say.

The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed in Paris, had suffered intensive burns after Sunday’s assault, the physician treating her had mentioned.

The authorities in north-west Kenya, the place Cheptegei lived and skilled, mentioned she was focused after returning house from church.

A report filed by a neighborhood administrator alleged the athlete and her ex-partner had been wrangling over a chunk of land. Police say an investigation is below method.

There are considerations concerning the rising instances of violence towards feminine athletes in Kenya, a number of of which have resulted in dying.

“We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell sufferer to home violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and name for justice. Might her soul relaxation In Peace,” Uganda’s athletics federation mentioned in a submit on X.

The household is but to verify her dying however Dr Owen Menach, the top of Moi Instructing and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the place she had been admitted, instructed native media that the athlete had died in spite of everything her organs failed.

Cheptegei’s former boyfriend was additionally admitted to the hospital – however with much less extreme burns. He’s nonetheless in intensive care however his situation was “bettering and steady”, Dr Menach mentioned.

“The couple have been heard quarrelling exterior their home. Through the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the girl earlier than burning her,” native police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom was quoted by native media as saying.

Ms Cheptegei, from a area simply throughout the border in Uganda, is alleged to have purchased a chunk of land in Trans Nzoia county and constructed a home, to be close to Kenya’s many athletic coaching centres.

“This was a cowardly and mindless act that has led to the lack of an important athlete. Her legacy will proceed to endure,” the top of Uganda’s Olympic committee Donald Rukare mentioned on X.

Speaking to reporters, earlier within the week her father, Joseph Cheptegei, mentioned that he prayed “for justice for my daughter”, including that he had by no means seen such an inhumane act in his life.

Cheptegei completed forty fourth within the marathon on the latest Paris Olympics.

She additionally received gold on the World Mountain and Path Operating Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.

Her dying comes two years after the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, with their companions recognized as the primary suspects in each instances by the authorities.

Tirop’s husband is at the moment dealing with homicide prices, which he denies, whereas a hunt for Mutua’s boyfriend continues.