Olympic athlete dies days after being set alight by ex-boyfriend
By Olympic News.
The 33-year-old runner died three days after reportedly being set on fire by her boyfriend outside her home in Eldoret, Kenya.
Paris 2024 Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after reportedly being set on fire by her boyfriend.
The 33-year-old Ugandan who finished 44th behind the Dutch winner Sifan Hassan on 11 August had been in critical condition in a hospital in neighbouring Kenya.
Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare confirmed the marathoner’s death on Thursday (5 September).
“We have learnt of the sad passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” he posted on social media platform X.
The news of her death was also shared by the Ugandan Athletics Federation on the same platform.
“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.”
Local Kenyan police officer Jeremiah ole Kosiom had confirmed to AP on Monday that Cheptegei’s former boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her ablaze after a disagreement on Sunday.
Her death comes two years after the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, with their partners identified as the main suspects in both cases by the authorities.
Tirop’s husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, while a hunt for Mutua’s boyfriend continues.
