Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Attack by Ex-Boyfriend

Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has sadly passed away after being set on fire by her former boyfriend. The 33-year-old athlete, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, died from severe burns days after the attack.

The incident happened in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained. She was attacked after coming home from church with her two daughters. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his heartbreak, saying he had lost a “very supportive” daughter. Fellow athlete James Kirwa described her as generous, often helping other runners financially.

According to a local report, Cheptegei and her ex-partner had been arguing over a piece of land. Police are currently investigating the case.

Cheptegei, originally from Uganda, had moved to Trans Nzoia county in Kenya to be close to top athletic training centers. Her death has raised concerns about the increasing violence against female athletes in Kenya, with her being the third athlete to be killed since 2021.

Speaking outside the hospital, her father called on the Kenyan government to ensure justice for his daughter. “We have lost our breadwinner,” he said, adding that he now worries about how her two children, aged 12 and 13, will continue their education.

Dr. Owen Menach, the head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, confirmed that Cheptegei died after her organs failed. Despite fighting for her life, she could not recover from the severe injuries.

James Kirwa, who visited her in the hospital, remembered her as a kind person who helped others, even financially. He shared that she had brought him training shoes when she returned from the Olympics, describing her as like an older sister to him.

Uganda’s athletics federation posted a message on social media, expressing sadness over her death and condemning the domestic violence that caused it. They called for justice and peace for her soul.

Cheptegei’s former boyfriend, who also suffered burns, is being treated in the same hospital but is in a stable condition. Local police said that the couple had been arguing outside their house before the attack. Witnesses reported seeing the man pour liquid on her and then set her on fire.

The head of Uganda’s Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, called the attack “cowardly and senseless,” saying that Cheptegei’s legacy as an athlete will live on.

Her death comes after two other tragic cases involving female athletes in Kenya. In 2021, Agnes Tirop, a world record holder, was killed, with her husband being the main suspect. In 2022, Damaris Mutua was also murdered, and authorities are still searching for her boyfriend.

Violence against women has become a major issue in Kenya. A 2022 survey found that 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence. Kenya’s Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, called Cheptegei’s death a “stark reminder” of the need to fight against gender-based violence.

Some believe that female athletes are being targeted because their success may make their partners feel insecure. Others think some individuals see these athletes as targets because of their increasing wealth.

Rebecca Cheptegei’s death is a great loss to her family, friends, and the athletics community. As they mourn her passing, calls for justice and action to prevent further violence grow louder.