Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died after being set by her partner earlier on Sunday. She had suffered severe burns in an attack where her boyfriend set her on fire at her home in Endebess in Trans-Nzoia County. The athlete succumbed to her injuries at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital on Thursday. A spokesperson, Owen Menach, confirmed her death.
President of Uganda Olympics Committee, Donald Rukare, said in a post on X, “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
The police identified the assailant as Dickson Ndiema Marangach, who allegedly used petrol to set the athlete on fire. A month ago, Cheptegei had competed in the marathon at Paris Olympics 2024, where she had finished 44th. A medical professional at the MTRH reported to AFP and said, “All her organs failed last night.”
As per Kenyan media, Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault and told The Standard, “He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother. I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible.” Before the Paris Olympics, the athlete had participated in last year’s world championships in Budapest where she finished 14th. In 2022, she won the mountain race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.