Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Burned to Death by Ex-Lover”/>
Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died days after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.
The 33-year-old marathon runner who competed at the Paris Olympics suffered severe burns after the attack by her boyfriend last Sunday.
Authorities in northwest Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, said he was targeted after returning home from church with his two daughters.
Read also: Ugandan Runner Joshua Cheptegei Breaks Olympic Record
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, said he had lost a daughter who had been a huge support to him. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa told the BBC about her generosity and how she had helped other runners financially.
A report filed by a local administrator alleged the athlete and his ex-partner had been fighting over a plot of land. Police said an investigation was underway.
Cheptegei is said to have purchased a plot of land in the Trans Nzoia area and built a house to be close to Kenya’s elite athletics training centre.
Read also: Ugandan Athlete Benjamin Kiplagat Found Dead in Kenya
Attacks on women have become a major concern in Kenya. In 2022, at least 34% of women said they had experienced physical violence, according to a national survey.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which is increasingly prevalent even among elite athletes,” said Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen.
“This is so sad. Even sadder because this isn’t the first time the athletic community has lost an incredible female athlete to domestic violence,” British Olympian Eilish McColgan wrote on X.
Also read: Chemutai, the First Ugandan Female Athlete to Win an Olympic Gold Medal
Cheptegei’s ex-girlfriend was also hospitalized in Eldoret but with less severe burns. She remains in intensive care but her condition is “improving and stable”, said Dr Owen Menach of Moi hospital. (BBC/M-3)
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- 1 Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title: **Tragic Death of Ugandan Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei: A Victim of Domestic Violence**:
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Tragic Death of Ugandan Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei: A Victim of Domestic Violence
The athletic community is mourning the loss of Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan Olympic marathon runner who died on Thursday, September 5, 2024, after being doused in petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend [[1]][[2]]. The brutal attack occurred just four days prior, leaving Cheptegei with severe burns that ultimately claimed her life.
Cheptegei, who competed in the Paris Olympics, was a talented athlete who had made a name for herself in the Ugandan athletic community. Her tragic demise has sent shockwaves throughout the country and beyond, with many paying tribute to her memory and condemning the senseless act of violence.
According to authorities in northwest Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, the attack occurred after she returned home from church with her two daughters [[3]]. A local administrator’s report alleged that Cheptegei and her ex-boyfriend had been fighting over a plot of land, and police have launched an investigation into the matter.
Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief, saying he had lost a daughter who had been a huge support to him. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa also paid tribute to Cheptegei’s generosity, revealing that she had helped other runners financially.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern over the prevalence of gender-based violence in Kenya. According to a national survey, at least 34% of women in Kenya said they had experienced physical violence in 2022. Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen lamented the tragedy, stating that it highlighted the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which is increasingly prevalent even among elite athletes.
British Olympian Eilish McColgan also expressed her sorrow, writing on social media, ”This is so sad. Even sadder because this isn’t the first time the athletic community has lost an incredible female athlete to domestic violence.”
Cheptegei’s death is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence, and it is essential that we take action to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future. As we mourn the loss of this talented athlete, we must also work together to create a society where women are safe from violence and can live their lives without fear of abuse.
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Tragedy Strikes: Ugandan Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Being Set Ablaze by Ex-Boyfriend
In a horrific incident, Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after being doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend [[3]]. The 33-year-old marathon runner, who competed at the Paris Olympics, suffered severe burns after the attack and passed away at a Kenyan hospital [[1]][[2]].
According to authorities in northwest Kenya, where Cheptegei lived and trained, she was targeted after returning home from church with her two daughters [[1]]. The attack is believed to have been sparked by a dispute over a plot of land, which Cheptegei had purchased in the Trans Nzoia area to build a house close to Kenya’s elite athletics training centre [[3]].
The Ugandan athlete’s death has sent shockwaves through the sports community, with many paying tribute to her generosity and kindness. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa told the BBC about Cheptegei’s financial support to other runners, and her father, Joseph Cheptegei, described her as a huge support to him [[3]].
The incident has also highlighted the growing concern of gender-based violence in Kenya. According to a national survey in 2022, at least 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence [[3]]. Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned the attack, stating that it is a “stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which is increasingly prevalent even among elite athletes” [[3]].
In response to Cheptegei’s tragic death, the French capital has expressed its desire to name a sports venue after the murdered Olympic athlete [[1]]. This gesture is a testament to the impact Cheptegei had on the sports community and her legacy, which will continue to inspire and motivate others.
The investigation into Cheptegei’s death is ongoing, and it is hoped that justice will be served for this senseless and brutal act of violence. As the sports community mourns the loss of this talented and kind-hearted athlete, it is clear that her memory will live on, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
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