Ugandan Olympian, Cheptegei dies after being set ablaze by partner

Ugandan Olympian, Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically passed away in Kenya, four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, according to Ugandan athletics officials on Thursday.

Cheptegei’s untimely death has shocked the sports world, leaving many to mourn the loss of a talented athlete taken far too soon.

“We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei… following a vicious attack by her boyfriend,” the president of the Uganda Olympic Committee Donald Rukare said in a post on X.

“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure,” he added.

Police report that Marangach allegedly doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her on fire at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, on Sunday.

This incident occurred just weeks after the 33-year-old athlete competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th. Cheptegei sustained burns to 80 percent of her body and had been battling for her life in a Kenyan hospital, according to the acting head of the facility.

“All her organs failed last night,” a medic at the facility, the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), told AFP on Thursday.

Kenyan media had reported that one of Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault at her mother’s home.

“He kicked me while I tried to run to the rescue of my mother,” Kenya’s The Standard reported her as saying.

“I immediately cried out for help, attracting a neighbour who tried to extinguish the flames with water, but it was not possible,” said the girl, who has not been named.

Marangach was also wounded in the incident, sustaining 30 percent burns on his body.