Olympic Marathon Runner Dies After Being Set on Fire By Her Boyfriend

AP Photo

Ugandan distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after 80% of her body was burned as a result of her boyfriend setting her on fire, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

Cheptegei, 33, competed just weeks ago in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She finished 44th in women’s marathon.

The attack occurred Sunday at her home in Trans Nzoia County in Kenya. According to police, her boyfriend — identified as Dickson Ndiema — bought a jerry can of gas and poured it on her during a disagreement. He was also burned in the attack.

On Thursday, a treatment facility confirmed her death.

According to Cheptegei’s parents, she moved there to be closer to the county’s athletic training centers.

The Uganda Athletics Federation made multiple posts on social media calling for justice.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence,” the UAF said. “As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace.”

Kenya’s Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said in a statement, “We must do more to combat gender-based violence in our society.” Murkomen vowed that the government would “ensure justice for the victim.”

As noted in AP’s report, Cheptegei’s death is the latest in a growing list of high-profile killings in Kenya. In 2023, Olympic runner Benjamin Kiplagat was stabbed to death in his car on New Year’s Eve. Fellow athlete Damaris Muthee , 28, was strangled in 2022; and her death came just six months after the fatal stabbing of distance runner Anges Tirop .