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In a heartbreaking turn of events, Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is dead.
According to The New Vision, the athlete succumbed to injuries sustained after being set on fire by her boyfriend in a brutal attack.
The incident occurred in her home in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, where she had been living and training.
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Cheptegei, who recently competed in the women’s marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered severe burns over 80% of her body.
The attack was allegedly carried out by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, during a heated argument.
Ndiema reportedly ambushed Cheptegei as she was coming back home from church, poured petrol on her, and set her ablaze.
Despite receiving intensive care at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Cheptegei’s injuries proved fatal.
She died as plans were underway for her to be airlifted to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
Her tragic death is a significant loss to the sports world and her home country of Uganda.
Social media users sent their condolences to the bereaved family, with many calling for justice.
Sam Tindimwebwa:
"It's very unfortunate that Uganda loses such a talent of a woman. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family."
Flora Aber
"Very unfortunate, what a great lost to Ugandan! Ooh, may her soul rest in eternal peace."
Odongo Isaac:
"What! We should always control our anger, this is too bad. May her soul rest in peace."
Amstrong Robert:
"May her soul rest in eternal peace. Very up sad for the sports fraternity."
Jack Bliss Akera:
"So sad, men should be made accountable for this kind of gruesome treatment on women. May her soul rest in eternal peace!"
Flora Aber:
"Very unfortunate,what a great lost to Ugandan! Ooh😭😭😭😭😭may her soul rest in eternal peace, may God comfort the family members in this trying moments."
For years, there have been concerns about the increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have resulted in death.
Cheptegei's demise stirs the wound of Kenyan professional long-distance runner Agnes Tirop, who was found dead on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
Her lover, Emmanuel Ibrahim Kipleting, who was believed to be behind the murder, was her personal coach.
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Cheptegei
Back from Olympics, Uganda's Rebecca Cheptegei set on fire - ESPN
Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in hospital after being set on fire