Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheftegay According to multiple reports, she died at the age of 33 after dousing her boyfriend with gasoline and setting him on fire.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning. She tragically became a victim of domestic violence,” the Uganda Athletics Federation shared via X on Thursday, September 5.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and demand justice. May her soul rest in peace,” the post concluded.
Cheptegei was taken to hospital on Sunday, September 1, following an altercation with her boyfriend. Dixon NdiemaThe BBC and Associated Press reported that the incident happened at her home in Kenya.
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Dr. Owen MenachThe acting director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where Cheptegei was admitted, told local media that Cheptegei died on Wednesday, September 4, from failure of all his organs, according to the BBC and Sky News.
Donald Lucare“We have received the sad news of the death of Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei (OLY) following a brutal attack by her boyfriend,” the Uganda Olympic Committee president wrote via X on Thursday.
“May her gentle soul rest in peace, and we strongly condemn violence against women. It was a cowardly and senseless act that resulted in the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will live on,” Lucare added.
Transenzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom According to the AP, Ndiema previously said he “bought a can of gasoline, poured it on her and set her on fire during an altercation on Sunday.”
According to the BBC, Kosiom said she “heard two people arguing outside the house,” which the BBC reported referred to Ndiema as Cheftegei’s “ex-boyfriend.” “During the fight, the boyfriend was seen pouring liquid on the woman and setting her on fire.”
Rebecca Chaptegay.
FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty ImagesThe AP reported that Ndiema also suffered burns in the incident, and both were taken to Moi Teaching and Medical Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.
Cheptegei competed as a long-distance and marathon runner representing Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 44th.
The AP reported that she and Ndemia were fighting over the land on which her home was built. Cheptegei’s parents said the athlete had bought the land and moved to Trans Nzoia to continue training.
After the incident, police commander Kosioum said: standardNeighbours said Cheptegei and Ndiema were rushed to the hospital after the fire was extinguished. Kosiom reported that a “five-litre yellow jerry can, a bag, a black Marvin” and a “burnt-out mobile phone” were recovered from the scene for “forensic analysis”.
Before Cheptegei competed in the Paris Olympics this year, she had competed in various marathons. She secured her Olympic qualification by finishing fourth at the 2022 ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon. Cheptegei has been competing professionally since 2010, winning the Kampala 10,000m race in Kampala, Uganda that year.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
