Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Burnt To Death By Ex-Boyfriend (image @UgaAthletics2)
Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic athlete, has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fire. The athlete was set on fire by former boyfriend. Cheptegei, who recently completed the Paris Olympics, suffered extensive burns after the attack.
Cheptegi lived and trained in north-west Kenya. The authorities said she was targeted after returning home from church with her two daughters.
A report filed by local administrator alleged that the athlete and her ex-partner had been wrangling over a piece of land. Probe is under way, said police. Reportedly, the athlete, who lived just across the border in Uganda, bought a plot in Trans Nzoia county. She built a house there to be closer to Kenya’s elite athletics training centres.
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Speaking to reporters outside the hospital where Cheptegei was being treated, her father Joseph Cheptegei asked the Kenyan government to ensure justice for his daughter. He said they lost their “bread winner,” and wondered how the athlete’s daughter, aged 12 and 13, would “proceed with their education.”
Owen Menach, the head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, told local media that the athlete had died after all her organs failed, said BBC.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace,” Uganda’s athletics federation said in a post on X.
BREAKING NEWS💔💔
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/ZdxmZ3wDuE— UGANDA ATHLETICS FEDERATION🇺🇬🇺🇬 UAF (@UgaAthletics2) September 5, 2024
Local police chief, Jeremiah ole Kosiom, said, “The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” as quoted by local media.
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Cheptegei finished in the 44 position in the marathon at the recent Paris Olympics. She won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2022.
Kenya has witnessed a rise in number of attacks on women. At least 34% of women said they experienced physical violence, according to a national survey in 2022.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which has increasingly affected even elite sports,” said Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, as quoted by BBC.
