Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Tragic Attack in Kenya

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend in a horrific attack in Kenya. The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, sustained burns over 80% of her body and passed away in Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. The incident has drawn widespread outrage and highlighted the alarming rise in violence against female athletes in East Africa.

Cheptegei had been returning from church with her two children when the attack occurred. According to reports, her former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, ambushed her at her home, pouring petrol on her and setting her ablaze following a heated dispute over a piece of land. Neighbours who heard the commotion rushed to the scene, managing to extinguish the flames and taking both Cheptegei and Ndiema, who also suffered burns, to the hospital. Unfortunately, Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries after several days in critical condition.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation expressed deep sorrow over her death, condemning the act of domestic violence and calling for justice. Cheptegei’s parents revealed that she had purchased land in Trans Nzoia County to be close to Kenya’s renowned athletic training centres, which underscores her dedication to her sport. This tragic incident adds to the growing list of violent attacks on female athletes in the region, including the recent cases of Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, whose deaths were also linked to domestic violence.

Cheptegei’s tragic death underscores the urgent need to address gender-based violence in sports, highlighting the importance of safety measures for female athletes. Organisations like Women’s Sports Foundation advocate for the protection and empowerment of women in sports, emphasising the critical need for systemic changes to prevent such acts of violence.