Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dies in Kenya after Petrol Attack

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being set on fire by a former boyfriend in the neighbouring Kenya.

Cheptegei, 33, competed in the recent Paris Olympics.

She was doused in petrol while returning from church with her two daughters and then set ablaze on Sunday in north-west Kenya, where she lived and trained.

“We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her,” announced Uganda Athletics Federation on X.

According to Kenyan authorities, the marathon runner and her ex-partner had been wrangling over a piece of land in Trans Nzoia county.

“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,” said Uganda Athletics Federation on X.

Fact file:

Rebecca Cheptegei (22 February 1991 – 5 September 2024) was a Ugandan cross country, long-distance and marathon runner, who was the national record holder in the latter discipline and a former world champion in mountain running.

She represented Uganda at several World Championships since 2010, including IAAF World Cross Country Championships, World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and World Athletics Championships.

She also competed in the women’s marathon at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

She died on 5 September 2024 of an alleged domestic violence attack over a land dispute with her ex boyfriend.