Olympic athlete dies days after being set alight by ex-boyfriend

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fireplace by a former boyfriend.

The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed within the latest Paris Olympics, had suffered intensive burns after Sunday’s assault.

The authorities in north-west Kenya, the place Cheptegei lived and skilled, stated she was focused after returning residence from church along with her two daughters.

Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, stated that he had misplaced a “very supportive” daughter. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa advised the BBC about her generosity and the way she had helped out different runners financially.

A report filed by an area administrator alleged the athlete and her ex-partner had been wrangling over a chunk of land. Police say an investigation is below method.

Cheptegei, from a area simply throughout the border in Uganda, is claimed to have purchased a plot in Trans Nzoia county and constructed a home to be close to Kenya’s elite athletics coaching centres.

Assaults on ladies have turn out to be a serious concern in Kenya. In 2022 no less than 34% of girls stated that they had skilled bodily violence, in line with a nationwide survey.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the pressing must fight gender-based violence, which has more and more affected even elite sports activities,” Kenya’s Sports activities Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated.

Totally different organisations inside the UN have additionally spoken out on the problem.

“We be part of the UN Inhabitants Fund and UN Ladies in strongly condemning [Cheptegei’s} violent murder,” spokesperson for the UN secretary-general Stephane Dujarric is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.

Speaking to journalists outside the hospital where she had been treated, Mr Cheptegei asked the Kenyan government to ensure justice was done after the death of his daughter.

“We have lost our breadwinner,” he added and wondered how her two young children would “proceed with their education”.

Dr Kimani Mbugua, a consultant at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, told local media that the staff did all they could for her but the athlete “had a severe percentage of burns, which unfortunately led to multi-organ failure, which ultimately led to her passing this morning at 05:30 [02:30 GMT]”.

Kirwa, who usually skilled with Cheptegei and had visited her in hospital, advised the BBC she “was a really affable individual. [She] helped us all even financially and she or he introduced me coaching footwear when she got here again from the Olympics. She was like an older sister to me”.

Uganda’s athletics federation stated in a publish on X: “We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell sufferer to home violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and name for justice. Might her soul relaxation In Peace.”

“That is heart-breaking. Much more heart-breaking that it isn’t the primary time the athletics neighborhood has misplaced such an unbelievable feminine athlete to home violence,” British Olympian runner Eilish McColgan wrote on X.

Cheptegei’s former boyfriend was additionally admitted to the hospital in Eldoret – however with much less extreme burns. He’s nonetheless in intensive care however his situation was “enhancing and secure”, Moi hospital’s Dr Owen Menach stated.

Earlier, native police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom was quoted by native media as saying: “The couple have been heard quarrelling exterior their home. Throughout the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the lady earlier than burning her.”

“This was a cowardly and mindless act that has led to the lack of a terrific athlete. Her legacy will proceed to endure,” the pinnacle of Uganda’s Olympic committee Donald Rukare stated on X.

Speaking to reporters earlier within the week, her father stated that he prayed “for justice for my daughter”, including that he had by no means seen such an inhumane act in his life.

Uganda’s Sports activities Minister Peter Ogwang stated preparations have been being made to move Cheptegei’s physique again to Uganda for burial.

“We mourn with the household as a rustic,” he advised the BBC World Service’s Newshour programme.

He added that Cheptegei had wished to speak to him after they have been on the Olympics collectively.

“She [said she] had a household downside.”

Cheptegei completed forty fourth within the marathon on the latest Paris Olympics.

She additionally received gold on the World Mountain and Path Operating Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.

Her demise comes after the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua the next 12 months, with their companions recognized as the principle suspects in each circumstances by the authorities.

Tirop’s husband is at the moment going through homicide costs, which he denies, whereas a hunt for Mutua’s boyfriend continues.

“At this time has been a tragic second for me. It has been a tragic second for athletes as a result of it actually reminded us [of] the day that Agnes was murdered,” Kenyan athlete Joan Chelimo advised the BBC.

She is concerned in Tirop’s Angels, an organisation she stated was arrange as a “wake-up name” after Tirop’s homicide to handle gender-based violence.

“We are saying we have to unite collectively as athletes and simply attempt to elevate consciousness, create a spot the place ladies can simply come and communicate up. However it’s nonetheless on the rise.”

Cheptegei’s pal Milcah Chemos-Cheywa, a Kenyan athlete who along with her in Paris, echoed these emotions.

“I can say we’re nonetheless in shock, and we’re in ache, particularly as athletes, and this factor occurring in Kenya,” she advised the Reuters information company. “We bear in mind the case of Agnes Tirop, now it has come to Rebecca, so we’re not joyful.’’