Olympian dies at 33 after ex 'set her on fire'

Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died in hospital, days after being set on fire in a petrol attack by her ex-boyfriend.

Just under a month ago, the 33-year-old Ugandan athlete competed in her first Olympic Games, finishing 44th in the women’s marathon.

But the running star succumbed to her injuries after the horrific attack earlier in the week which left her with severe burns to 75 per cent of her body.

Police said Cheptegei was assaulted by her Kenyan boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach who reportedly snuck into her home in Endebess in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya at around 2pm on Sunday while she and her two children were at church.

“Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring (it) on Rebecca before he set her ablaze,” a police report said, adding that he was also injured by the flames.

Cheptegei spent days in critical condition but it was reported on Thursday that she had lost her life in the attack.

African radio station Radio 4 Ensunsuzi tweeted: “Rebecca Cheptegei, the Ugandan Olympic athlete who was set on fire by her Kenyan boyfriend has died.”

The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the heartbreaking news. Photo: TwitterSource: Twitter

It was confirmed by the Ugandan Athletics Federation on X soon after.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the statement read.

“As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

While the family is yet to make a statement, the head of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where Cheptegei was admitted, told local media she had suffered organ failure after the attack.

The reaction was swift around the world with fans horrified by the shocking news.

President of the Ugandan Olympic Committee Donald Rukare tweeted: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend. 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.”

One fan wrote: “It’s beyond horrifying that a flame meant to light up the Olympic stage was extinguished by such a monstrous act. Rebecca Cheptegei’s strength should have been celebrated, not stolen by violence. This isn’t just a tragedy for Uganda but a global shame. We must fight harder against the darkness that allows such evil to exist. Rest in power, Rebecca. Your legacy will burn brighter than any hatred.”

Another commented: “This is an unimaginable tragedy, and my heart goes out to Rebecca Cheptegei’s family, friends, and everyone affected by this horrific act of violence.

“It’s a stark reminder of the urgent need to address domestic violence and protect vulnerable individuals. May her soul rest in peace, and may justice be served.”

Cheptegei had to apply ice during the women’s marathon in Paris. Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFPSource: AFP

Local police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom told Kenyan newspaper The Standard earlier in the week that the pair had been “heard quarrelling outside their house” before the incident.

A report filed by the local chief said the couple had been fighting over the land where the house was built.

Cheptegei’s father Joseph told Kenyan Newspaper The Star that her children were not fathered by the alleged attacker.

Nation Africa reported the neighbours rushed to Cheptegei’s aid, extinguishing the flames and rushing both Cheptegei and Marangach to hospital. Marangach is alleged to have also caught on fire when he lit a matchstick.

Cheptegei was an accomplished long distance runner, having claimed gold at the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thaliand in 2022.

At the Paris Olympics, Cheptegei finished in 44th place in a season’s best time of 2:32.14, nine minutes behind gold medallist Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands.

Cheptegei running in the women’s marathon at the World Athletics Championships in 2023. Photo by Ferenc ISZA / AFPSource: AFP

Unfortunately, the incident is not an isolated attack in Kenya, with a January 2023 report from the Kenyan Bureau of National Statistics finding that 34 per cent of women in Kenya have experienced physical violence since the age of 15.

It said women who had “been married are much more likely to have experienced violence”, noting that 41 per cent of such women reported incidents compared to 20 per cent of unmarried women.

The assault on Cheptegei comes two years after Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua was found dead in Iten, a world-famous running hub in the Rift Valley in the west of the country.

Her death followed the murder of record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop, 25, who was found stabbed to death at her home in Iten in 2021.

Tirop’s estranged husband Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich went on trial over her murder in 2023. He has denied the charges. His trial is ongoing.

In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was found stabbed to death in a car in Eldoret in the west of Kenya.

With AFP