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The Olympic runner who was allegedly doused in petrol and set on fire by her boyfriend has died, it was announced on Monday.
Rebecca Cheptegei, a mother of two, suffered total organ failure after suffering burns to 80 percent of her body, according to the hospital treating her.
“Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed last night,” Dr Owen Menach, acting director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, was quoted as saying by the national newspaper The Star.
The Uganda Athletics Federation posted on X: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning, who was tragically a victim of domestic violence. As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, wrote: “We have learned of the sad passing of our Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a violent attack by her boyfriend. May her soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. It was a cowardly and senseless act that led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will live on.”
The alleged attacker also suffered serious burns in the incident at the home in Cheptegei, western Kenya, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told reporters after the couple were admitted to hospital.
“The couple were heard arguing outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring liquid on the woman before setting her on fire,” Kosiom said.
Cheptegei, 33, was reportedly rescued by neighbours in the small town of Endebess.
The athlete, who was born and represents neighbouring Uganda, is said to have bought land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house, to be close to Kenya’s many sports training centres.
A report filed by a local administrator indicates that she and her attacker were arguing over the land.
The attack came exactly three weeks after Cheptegei finished 44th in the Olympic marathon.
She had already won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The attack on her is the latest on a female athlete in Kenya, some of which have resulted in fatalities.
In April 2022, fellow runner Damaris Mutua was found strangled in a house with a pillow over her face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
It came just months after long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in the same town.
Men have also been targeted, such as Ugandan Benjamin Kiplagat, who was stabbed to death by assailants in Eldoret in December.
Figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics released in January 2023 revealed that 34% of women in the country had experienced physical violence since the age of 15.
Lord Coe pledges to ‘protect female athletes’ following Rebecca Cheptegei tragedy
By Jeremy Wilson
World Athletics has pledged to investigate how it can protect female athletes from abuse following the death of Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei.
The Ugandan, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics and also in the World Championships last year, was allegedly doused with petrol and set alight by her ex-boyfriend at her home in western Kenya on Sunday.
Lord Coe, President of World Athletics, said: “Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances.
“Rebecca was an incredibly versatile runner who still had a lot to give on the roads, mountains and cross-country trails.”
He added: “I have reached out to our board members in Africa to see how we can help, not only as the governing body of the sport in which Rebecca competed, but also to assess how our safeguarding policies could be enhanced to include abuse outside of sport, and to bring together stakeholders from all areas of athletics to join forces to best protect our female athletes from abuse of all kinds.”
“It is urgent to combat violence against women”
“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address gender-based violence, which is increasingly affecting even elite sport,” said Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen.
Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee, said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Rebecca Cheptegei following the horrific attack she suffered. Rebecca’s participation in the Paris 2024 women’s marathon was a source of inspiration, pride and joy. Our thoughts are with her family, especially her children, her friends and the Olympic community in Uganda.”
Eilish McColgan, the British record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres, called the news “heartbreaking”. She added: “It’s even more heartbreaking that this is not the first time the sporting community has lost such an incredible athlete to domestic abuse. This has to stop. Rest in peace Rebecca.”
African Women Rights Advocates called for urgent action. “No woman should lose her life in this way,” it said in a statement. “As we mourn this incredible athlete, we call for justice and renewed urgency in the fight against gender-based violence.”
World Athletics commentator Rob Walker, who has spent time in Africa in recent years, wrote on X: “I have seen great progress in East Africa over the last 20 years. But the treatment of successful female athletes by jealous husbands/boyfriends now needs to be addressed. It is absolutely appalling.”
According to a report by a local administrator, Cheptegei and the attacker were fighting over land in Trans Nzoia County. Cheptegei, who finished 14th at the World Marathon Championships and 44th at the Olympics, was also the 2022 world trail running champion. She moved to Kenya to be close to the many elite athletics training groups.
