Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died at a Kenyan sanatorium the place she was once being handled then 80% of her frame was once burned in an assault through her spouse.
She was once 33.
A spokesperson at Moi Educating and Referral Medical institution in Eldoret town, Owen Menach, showed Cheptegei’s loss of life on Thursday.
Menach mentioned the long-distance runner died early within the morning then her organs failed. She were absolutely sedated on admission on the sanatorium.
Cheptegei competed within the ladies’s marathon on the Paris Olympics lower than a occasion earlier than the assault. She completed in forty fourth park.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, informed newshounds on the sanatorium that he had misplaced a daughter who was once “very supportive” and hopes to get justice.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom mentioned Monday that Cheptegei’s spouse, Dickson Ndiema, purchased a can of fuel, poured it on her and prepared her ablaze right through a confrontation Sunday.
Ndiema was once additionally burned and was once being handled on the similar sanatorium.
Menach mentioned Ndiema was once nonetheless within the in depth support unit with burns over 30% of his frame however was once “improving and stable.”
Cheptegei’s oldsters mentioned their daughter purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be akin the county’s many athletic coaching facilities.
A document filed through the native eminent mentioned the 2 had been heard preventing over the land the place her area was once constructed earlier than the assault.
The Uganda Athletics Federation eulogized Cheptegei at the social platform X, writing, “We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, early this morning who tragically fell sufferer to home violence.
As a federation, we condemn such acts and get in touch with for justice. Would possibly her soul extra In Relief.”
Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare known as the assault “a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete.”
In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was once discovered lifeless with stab wounds.
In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was once discovered lifeless and a postmortem document said that she was once strangled.
In 2021, lengthy distance runner Agnes Tirop was once stabbed to loss of life at her house.
Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was once arrested and charged with homicide, the case is ongoing.
