(Breaking news – story developing) Rebecca Cheptegei, the Marathon runner who represented team Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games has died. The tragedy comes just four days after her boyfriend set her on fire after the couple had a dispute over a property. Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare officially announced Cheptegei’s death on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday (September 5).
“We have learned of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” Rukare wrote.
He added: “May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women.
“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”
Image credits: UgaAthletics2
The 33-year-old succumbed to the burns she suffered when her boyfriend poured petrol on her and set her ablaze in Kenya, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday.
Following her participation at the Olympics in Paris, France last month, Cheptegei had been training in Kenya.
Many athletes from the East African region, including Uganda, often travel to Kenya for high-altitude training, particularly in areas like Iten, which is known for its world-class training environment for long-distance runners.
Image credits: Sam Mellish/Getty Images
STATEMENT ON THE PASSING ON OF UGANDAN ATHLETE REBECCA CHEPTEGEI pic.twitter.com/Y38SCHnnsN
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) September 5, 2024
Image credits: UgaAthletics2
Image credits: rebeccacheptegei
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Image credits: UgaAthletics2
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