Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei passes away after suffering burns from her partner

Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died at the age of 33 after being attacked by her partner, Dickson Ndiema, who poured petrol on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement. She sustained burns on 80% of her body and passed away due to organ failure. Cheptegei was a long-distance runner who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. Her partner was also injured in the incident and was being treated at the same hospital, with 30% burns. The attack was reportedly triggered by a dispute over land where Cheptegei’s house was built. The Uganda Athletics Federation expressed sadness over her death, condemning domestic violence and calling for justice. Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare described the attack as cowardly and senseless, leading to the loss of a great athlete. Unfortunately, Cheptegei is not the only athlete to have suffered a tragic fate, as Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds in 2023, and Damaris Muthee, a Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete, was found strangled in 2022. These events are a stark reminder of the need to address and prevent such violence against athletes, particularly within intimate relationships.

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