Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being set on fire by boyfriend

Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after 80% of her body was burned in an attack by her partner.

She was 33-years-old.

A spokesman at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, Owen Menach, confirmed Ms Cheptegei’s death on Thursday.

Mr Menach said the long-distance runner died early morning after all her organs failed.

She had been fully sedated on admission at the hospital.

Ms Cheptegei competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics less than a month before the attack. She finished in 44th place.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said that Cheptegei’s partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement on Sunday.

Ndiema was also burned, and was being treated at the same hospital.

Mr Menach said Ndiema was still in the intensive care unit with 30% burns, but was “improving and stable”.

Ms Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centres.

A report filed by the local chief states that the two were heard fighting over the land where her house was built before the attack.

Ms Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, told journalists at the hospital that he had lost a daughter who was “very supportive” and hopes to get justice.

“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” he said.

“He is still free and might even flee.”

The Uganda Athletics Federation paid tribute to Ms Cheptegei on X, formerly Twitter, 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”.

Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said the government would ensure justice for the victim.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles,” he wrote in a statement.

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 post-mortem 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.