Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei died at a hospital in Kenya early Thursday morning, days after she was severely burned by her boyfriend, authorities said. She was 33.
Her death was confirmed by Owen Menach, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, where both Cheptegei and her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, were being treated following Sunday’s attack.
The long-distance runner, who made her Olympic debut in Paris less than a month ago, was being treated for burns on nearly 80% of her body.
She died from organ failure Menach said, noting she had been fully sedated since she was admitted to the hospital earlier this week.
Cheptegei was hospitalized following an “incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her,” the Uganda Athletics Federation, or UAF, said in a statement shared on social media.
Rebecca Cheptegei, competes at the Discovery 10km road race in Kapchorwa, Uganda Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. A Cheptegei, a Ugandan athlete living in Kenya was set ablaze by her boyfriend on Sunday Sept. 1, 2024 and is currently receiving treatment for 75% burns, police said. (AP Photo)
Local authorities said Cheptegei and Ndiema had an argument before the tragic attack over some land in Kenya’s Trans-Nzoia County, where her house was built. It’s unclear if the dispute was directly linked to the incident.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” UAF posted on X on Thursday. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”
Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said in a statement he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss” of Cheptegei, who was Uganda’s women’s marathon record holder.
“This tragedy is a stark reminder that we must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society, which in recent years has reared its ugly head in elite sporting circles,” he said in a statement.
Speaking with journalists at the hospital, however, Cheptegei’s father expressed doubts about the justice system in Kenya.
“As it is now, the criminal who harmed my daughter is a murderer and I am yet to see what the security officials are doing,” Joseph Cheptegei said. “He is still free and might even flee.”
Ndiema is still being treated at the hospital for burns over 30% of his body, but he is “improving and stable,” according to the hospital spokesperson.
Cheptegei, who competed in Paris as part of Uganda’s 25-person team, finished 44th in the women’s marathon on Aug. 11.
“Ugandans are proud of your hard work and determination,” UAF wrote on X.