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The Olympic runner who was allegedly doused in gasoline and set on fire by her boyfriend has died, it has been announced.
Rebecca Cheptegei, a mother of two, suffered total organ failure after burns to 80% of her body, according to the hospital that treated her.
“Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” Dr Owen Menach, acting director of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, was quoted as saying by the national newspaper The Star.
The Uganda Athletics Federation posted on As a federation, we condemn such acts and demand justice. May his soul rest in peace. »
Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, wrote: “We have learned of the sad passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a violent 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 led to the loss of a great athlete. His legacy will continue to live on.
The alleged attacker also suffered serious burns during the incident at the home in Cheptegei, western Kenya, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told reporters after they were admitted to hospital .
“The couple was heard arguing outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring liquid on the woman before burning her,” Kosiom said.
Cheptegei, 33, was reportedly rescued by neighbors in the small town of Endebess.
The athlete, who was born in neighboring Uganda and competes for that country, is said to have purchased land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house, close to Kenya’s many sports training centers.
A report filed by a local administrator indicates that she and her attacker were fighting over land.
The attack occurred exactly three weeks after Cheptegei finished 44th in the Olympic marathon.
She has already won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The attack on her is the latest against a female athlete in Kenya, some of which have been fatal.
In April 2022, her compatriot Damaris Mutua was found strangled in a house with a pillow over her face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
This happened a few months after record-breaking distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same city.
Men have also been targeted, with Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat stabbed to death by attackers in Eldoret in December.
Figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics released in January 2023 reveal that 34% of women in the country have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
Lord Coe vows to ‘protect female athletes’ following Rebecca Cheptegei tragedy
By Jeremy Wilson
World Athletics has pledged to investigate how it can protect female athletes from abuse following the death of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei.
The Ugandan, who competed at the recent Paris Olympics as well as last year’s World Championships, was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend at her home in western Kenya on Sunday .
Lord Coe, President of World Athletics, said: “Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances.
“Rebecca was an incredibly versatile runner who still had a lot to give on the roads, mountains and cross-country trails.”
He added: “I have been in contact with our council members in Africa to see how we can help, not only in our capacity as the governing body of the sport in which Rebecca competed, but also to assess how our policies protection could be improved to include abuse. outside of sport, and bring together stakeholders from all areas of athletics to join forces to protect our female athletes to the best of our abilities from abuse of all kinds.
“It is urgent to fight against gender-based violence”
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which is increasingly affecting even elite sports,” said Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Rebecca Cheptegei following the horrific attack she suffered. Rebecca’s participation in the 2024 Paris women’s marathon was a source of inspiration, pride and joy. Our thoughts and hearts are with his family, especially his children, his friends and the Olympic community in Uganda.
British 5,000 and 10,000 meter record holder Eilish McColgan described the news as “heartbreaking”. She added: “What is even more heartbreaking is that this is not the first time the sporting community has lost such an incredible female athlete to domestic violence. This has to stop. TEAR Rebecca.
African women’s rights advocates have called for urgent action. “No woman should lose her life in this way,” a statement said. “As we mourn this incredible athlete, we call for justice and renewed urgency in the fight against gender-based violence. »
World Athletics commentator Rob Walker, who has spent time in Africa in recent years, wrote on X: “I have witnessed great progress in East Africa over the last 20 years. But now we need to address the treatment of successful female athletes by jealous husbands/boyfriends. It’s absolutely terrible.
A report filed by a local administrator indicates that Cheptegei and the attacker were fighting over land in Trans Nzoia County. Cheptegei, who finished 14th at the World Marathon Championships and 44th at the Olympics, was also the 2022 trail running world champion. She had moved to Kenya to be closer to the many elite athletics training groups.
