ReutersA sports activities venue in Paris will likely be named after Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who died after her ex-boyfriend allegedly set her on fireplace, the French capital’s mayor has introduced.
The 33-year-old mom died on Thursday with extreme burns after her former associate allegedly doused her in petrol and set her on fireplace exterior her residence in north-western Kenya on Sunday.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo stated dedicating a sports activities venue after Cheptegei would assist “her reminiscence and her story stay amongst us”.
Cheptegei competed within the Olympic marathon in Paris, coming forty fourth in a time of two hours 32 minutes and 14 seconds.
Ms Hidalgo informed reporters the runner “dazzled us” on the Olympic Video games within the French capital, including that “Paris is not going to neglect her”.
“We noticed her. Her magnificence, her energy, her freedom, and it was in all chance her magnificence, energy and freedom which had been insupportable for the one who dedicated this homicide,” she stated.
“We’ll dedicate a sports activities venue to her in order that her reminiscence and her story stays amongst us and helps carry the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Video games.”
Joan Chelimo, a fellow athlete of Cheptegei’s, stated ladies must “come collectively” following the incident.
“I knew Rebecca as an individual: we had been collectively on the Paris Olympics. She was a mum, she had been exhausting working to be on the Olympics,” she informed BBC Radio 4’s Girl’s Hour.
“She was the breadwinner of her household and you’ll think about different ladies had been wanting as much as her.”
Ms Chelimo added: “We’re nonetheless hoping, and attempting to hope, that the perpetrators will likely be held accountable for his or her wrongdoings.”
Joris Verwijst/BSR Company/Getty PhotographsAt 19 years previous, Cheptegei first represented Uganda in an under-20 race on the 2010 World Cross Nation Championships and later transitioned to longer street races, making her marathon debut in 2021.
She recorded a private better of two hours 22 minutes and 47 seconds the next yr, making her the second-fastest Ugandan lady of all time.
Cheptegei was in a position to help her household along with her earnings from operating.
Ms Chelimo stated she thinks some males really feel “intimidated” by feminine athletes who’re “going past the standard norms of males offering every part”.
“They’re turning into extra financially steady, they’re turning into extra unbiased, and I feel their ex-partners don’t like the very fact we have gotten unbiased, we’re elevating our voices extra.”
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 underneath manner.
Assaults on ladies have turn out to be a serious concern in Kenya. In 2022 not less than 34% of girls stated they’d skilled bodily violence, in keeping with a nationwide survey.
“Extra must be performed,” Ms Chelimo stated. “We’re actually hoping that now it’s one other get up name and for us to return collectively.”