Ugandan Rebecca Cheptegei, an Olympic marathon athlete from Paris, has died. A few days ago she was set on fire by her partner.
Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare announced the Olympic athlete’s death on Platform X.
“We strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will live on,” he wrote.
Ugandan Rebecca Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, She was set on fire by her partner and suffered burns over 75% of her body. The athlete – according to a statement from the hospital – was in critical condition.
The attacker was Dickson Ndiema, with whom the runner had had a relationship for several years.
The tragedy occurred at his home in the western county of Trans Nzoia. Local police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom confirmed that The attacker bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her on fire during an argument that occurred on Sunday. He also suffered burns.
The parents of 33-year-old Cheptegei believe the tragedy occurred due to a property dispute. Their daughter bought a plot of land in Trans Nzoia to be close to several training centres. She settled there, built a house and trained. Her partner did not want to accept this.
This is yet another tragedy among African athletes. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found stabbed to death at home. A year earlier, Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Muthee, representing Bahrain, was strangled.
Cheptegei has been competing in marathons for over 10 years. She won in 2022 in Padua and had many podiums. His personal best at this distance is 2m22s47.
