Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died on the age of 33 after being doused in petrol and set on fireplace by her boyfriend, in keeping with a number of stories.
“We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell sufferer to home violence,” Uganda’s athletics federation shared by way of X on Thursday, September 5.
“As a federation, we condemn such acts and name for justice. Could her soul relaxation in peace,” the submit concluded.
Cheptegei was taken to hospital on Sunday, September 1, following a disagreement together with her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, at her residence in Kenya, reported the BBC and the Related Press.
Hollywood mourned many celebrities in 2024. Velocity Racer star Christian Oliver (born Christian Klepser) died on the age of 51 throughout a deadly aircraft crash on January 5. Oliver was touring residence from a Caribbean trip along with his two daughters — Madita and Annik, whom he shared with spouse Jessica Klepser — on January 4. […]
Dr. Owen Menach, performing director of the Moi Instructing and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the place Cheptegei was admitted, informed native media that Cheptegei died in any case her organs failed on Wednesday, September 4, per the BBC and Sky Information.
Donald Rukare, the president of Uganda’s Olympic committee, wrote by way of X on Thursday, “Now we have learnt of the unhappy passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious assault by her boyfriend.”
“Could her light soul relaxation in peace and we strongly condemn violence in opposition to girls. This was a cowardly and mindless act that has led to the lack of an awesome athlete. Her legacy will proceed to endure,” Rukare added.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom beforehand mentioned that Ndiema “purchased a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze throughout a disagreement” that passed off on Sunday, per the AP.
“The couple have been heard quarreling outdoors their home,” Kosiom mentioned, in keeping with the BBC, who referred to Ndiema as Cheptegei’s “former” boyfriend of their report. “Through the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the lady earlier than burning her.”
Rebecca Cheptegei. FERENC ISZA/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
The AP reported that Ndiema acquired burns through the incident as properly and each have been taken to the Moi Instructing and Referral Hospital, in Eldoret, a metropolis in Kenya.
Cheptegei competed as a long-distance and marathon runner for Uganda within the 2024 Paris Olympics, ending in forty fourth place.
The AP reported that she and Ndemia had argued over land that her home was constructed on. Cheptegei’s mother and father mentioned the athlete purchased land and moved to Trans Nzoia as a way to proceed her coaching.
After the incident, police commander Kosiom spoke with The Normal, revealing that neighbors put out the fireplace earlier than dashing Cheptegei and Ndiema to the hospital. A “five-liter yellow jerrican, a bag and a black marvin” and “burnt cell phone” have been reportedly collected on the scene for “forensic evaluation,” Kosiom continued.
Previous to Cheptegei’s look on this yr’s Paris Olympics, she competed in varied marathons. She ended 2022 with a fourth-place end within the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon, which allowed her to safe her spot on the Olympics. Cheptegei has been competing as an expert athlete since 2010, profitable the Kampala 10,000 meter race in Kampala, Uganda that yr.
In the event you or somebody you realize are experiencing home violence, please name the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assist.
