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 hearth 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 residence from church.

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

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

“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. Could her soul relaxation In Peace,” Uganda’s athletics federation mentioned in a publish on X.

The household is but to verify her loss of life however Dr Owen Menach, the top of Moi Educating and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the place she had been admitted, advised 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 had been heard quarrelling outdoors 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 bit 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 a terrific 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 current Paris Olympics.

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

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

Tirop’s husband is at present going through homicide costs, which he denies, whereas a hunt for Mutua’s boyfriend continues.