- Hours after being rushed to Eldoret Level Four Hospital following a brutal attack by her Kenyan ex-boyfriend, Ugandan marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died
- Cheptegei, who was doused in petrol and set on fire, succumbed to severe burns and multiple organ failure
- Her death, following a land dispute with her attacker, highlights the alarming issue of violence against female athletes
Ugandan marathoner Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away just days after surviving a horrific attack by her former boyfriend.
The 33-year-old Olympic athlete, known for her stellar performances including a gold medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2022, succumbed to injuries sustained when her ex-boyfriend doused her in petrol and set her alight.
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Cheptegei, who had recently returned home from church, suffered severe burns in the attack, which occurred in north-west Kenya where she had been living and training.
Reports indicate that the violent incident stemmed from a dispute over a piece of land.
Despite receiving medical attention at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Cheptegei’s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to multiple organ failures.
The news has sent shockwaves through the athletics community and beyond.
The Uganda Athletics Federation has expressed profound sorrow, condemning the act as “cowardly and senseless,” and calling for justice for the late athlete.
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Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, has pleaded for justice, describing the attack as the most inhumane act he has ever witnessed.
This heart-wrenching case adds to the troubling trend of violence against female athletes in the region.
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Just two years ago, similar tragedies befell fellow East African runners Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua, whose partners were also implicated in their deaths.
