Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dead at 33 After Being Set on Fire by Boyfriend

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died on the age of 33 after being doused in petrol and set on fireplace by her boyfriend, in keeping with a number of studies.

“We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell sufferer to home violence,” Uganda’s athletics federation shared through X on Thursday, September 5.

“As a federation, we condemn such acts and name for justice. Might her soul relaxation in peace,” the publish concluded.

Cheptegei was taken to hospital on Sunday, September 1, following a disagreement together with her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, at her dwelling in Kenya, reported the BBC and the Related Press.

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Dr. Owen Menach, appearing director of the Moi Educating and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the place Cheptegei was admitted, advised native media that Cheptegei died in spite of everything her organs failed on Wednesday, September 4, per the BBC and Sky Information.

Donald Rukare, the president of Uganda’s Olympic committee, wrote through X on Thursday, “Now we have learnt of the unhappy passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious assault by her boyfriend.”

“Might her light soul relaxation in peace and we strongly condemn violence in opposition to girls. This was a cowardly and mindless act that has led to the lack of an ideal athlete. Her legacy will proceed to endure,” Rukare added.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom beforehand mentioned that Ndiema “purchased a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze throughout a disagreement” that passed off on Sunday, per the AP.

“The couple have been heard quarreling exterior their home,” Kosiom mentioned, in keeping with the BBC, who referred to Ndiema as Cheptegei’s “former” boyfriend of their report. “In the course of the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the lady earlier than burning her.”

The AP reported that Ndiema acquired burns through the incident as nicely and each have been taken to the Moi Educating and Referral Hospital, in Eldoret, a metropolis in Kenya.

Cheptegei competed as a long-distance and marathon runner for Uganda within the 2024 Paris Olympics, ending in forty fourth place.

The AP reported that she and Ndemia had argued over land that her home was constructed on. Cheptegei’s mother and father mentioned the athlete purchased land and moved to Trans Nzoia as a way to proceed her coaching.

After the incident, police commander Kosiom spoke with The Commonplace, revealing that neighbors put out the fireplace earlier than speeding Cheptegei and Ndiema to the hospital. A “five-liter yellow jerrican, a bag and a black marvin” and “burnt cell phone” have been reportedly collected on the scene for “forensic evaluation,” Kosiom continued.

Previous to Cheptegei’s look on this yr’s Paris Olympics, she competed in numerous marathons. She ended 2022 with a fourth-place end within the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, which allowed her to safe her spot on the Olympics. Cheptegei has been competing as knowledgeable athlete since 2010, profitable the Kampala 10,000 meter race in Kampala, Uganda that yr.

Should you or somebody you recognize are experiencing home violence, please name the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assist.