Tragic Loss: Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Domestic Violence Attack

Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically passed away following a brutal attack by her former boyfriend, who doused her in petrol and set her alight. The 33-year-old Ugandan athlete, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, succumbed to her injuries after suffering extensive burns. She passed away in the early hours at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.

Cheptegei, a beloved figure in her community, was attacked after returning home from church with her two daughters. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his heartbreak over the loss of his “very supportive” daughter and called on the Kenyan government to ensure justice for her death. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa remembered her for her generosity, recounting how she had supported other runners financially.

Dr. Kimani Mbugua, the consultant who treated Cheptegei, explained that despite the hospital staff’s best efforts, the severe burns led to multi-organ failure, which ultimately claimed her life. The tragedy has left her family devastated, with concerns raised about how her two young daughters, aged 12 and 13, will cope with the loss of their mother and breadwinner.

The Uganda Athletics Federation expressed its sorrow, condemning the domestic violence that led to her death and calling for justice. British Olympian Eilish McColgan also voiced her grief, highlighting the devastating impact of domestic violence in the athletics community.

Cheptegei’s ex-boyfriend, who also sustained burns, is currently in intensive care but is reported to be in stable condition. As the world mourns the loss of another talented athlete, the call for stronger action against domestic violence grows louder.