The Ugandan marathon runner represented her country at both the Paris Olympics and the World Championships in Budapest
Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition in hospital after allegedly been doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend.
The 33-year-old, who represented Uganda at the recent Paris Olympics and last year’s World Championships in Budapest, was attacked in her home in Endebess, Western Kenya.
Cheptegei suffered burns to 75% of her body and she was reportedly rescued by neighbours when the incident occurred (September 1).
Trans Nzoia County’s police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom told journalists that the alleged attacker also sustained serious burns.
He added: “The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
A report filed by a local administrator in the region said that the former boyfriend had attacked Cheptegei due to a disagreement over the land in which her home was built on.
Rebecca Cheptegei in Budapest (Getty)
After learning of the attack, the Ugandan Athletics Federation stated: “We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.”
As well as competing in the marathon at the Olympics and World Championships, Cheptegei also won gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
She is the latest victim in attacks across female athletes in Kenya.
Back in October 2021 Agnes Tirop, who was a double world 10,000m medallist and a previous holder of the women’s-only world 10km record, was found stabbed to death.
In the wake of her killing, Tirop’s Angels was founded – an organisation founded by Kenyan athletes and Tirop’s family – to stand in unity against gender-based violence.
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