Rebecca Cheptegei, Olympic marathon runner, dies after being set on fire by boyfriend
FILE - (L-R) Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi of Team Morocco, Rosemary Wanjiru of Team Kenya, Amane Beriso Shankule of Team Ethiopia, Rebecca Cheptegei of Team Uganda, Selly Chepyego Kaptich of Team Kenya and Lonah Chemtai Salpeter of Team Israel cross the Sz
NAIROBI, Kenya - Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan Olympic athlete who recently competed in Paris, has died just days after being burned in an attack by her partner. She was 33.
Authorities said her partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her on fire during a disagreement on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. Roughly 80% of Cheptegei’s body was burned, and she was taken to a Kenyan hospital for treatment – where she died.
Ndiema was also burned and was being treated at the same hospital. He was said to be "improving and stable."
A spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, Owen Menach, confirmed Cheptegei’s death on Thursday. Menach said the long-distance runner died early in the morning after her organs failed.
She had been fully sedated on admission at the hospital.
Here’s what’s known about Cheptegei and the attack:
Rebecca Cheptegei dies after being set on fire: What’s known
Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told journalists at the hospital that he had lost a daughter who was "very supportive" and hopes to get justice.
Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centers. A report filed by the local chief said the two were heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the attack.
The Uganda Athletics Federation eulogized Cheptegei on the social platform X, writing, "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. May her soul rest In Peace."
Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare called the attack "a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete."
Other recent Olympic athletes killed in attacks
In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds.
In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was found dead and a postmortem report stated that she was strangled.
In 2021, long distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death at her home. Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested and charged with murder, the case is ongoing.
The Source
This story was written based on reporting on Sept. 5, 2024, from the Associated Press, which confirmed Cheptegei’s death with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city in Kenya. It also cited local reporting and statements from her family to journalists. It was reported from Cincinnati.