Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan Olympian, has died after her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, set her on fire at her home in Kenya, Ugandan athletics officials said on Thursday.
Cheptegei’s death was confirmed by the president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, who described the attack as a “cowardly and senseless act”.
“We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Rukare said in a post on X. “This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
According to police, Marangach allegedly doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her alight on Sunday at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. Cheptegei had suffered burns to 80% of her body and was fighting for her life at a Kenyan hospital until her death.
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The incident occurred just weeks after Cheptegei participated in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she placed 44th. Her boyfriend, Marangach, was also wounded in the incident, sustaining 30% burns on his body.
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The Uganda Athletics Federation condemned the attack and called for justice. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the federation said in a statement. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
The attack on Cheptegei has highlighted the issue of domestic violence in Kenya, where 34% of women have experienced physical violence since the age of 15, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
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