Originally published on E! Online
Content warning: This article contains mentions of domestic violence.
Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition.
Three weeks after participating in the 2024 Olympic Games, the long-distance runner from Uganda is in hospital after being set on fire by her alleged boyfriend. Dickson Ndiemaat her Kenyan residence on August 2, Tranz Nzoi Country police said, according to the BBC.
“The couple was heard arguing outside their house,” said the police chief Jeremiah Ole Kosiom told reporters, according to the outlet. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
The 33-year-old, who finished 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Games on August 11, is being treated in intensive care for burns to 75 percent of her body and inhalation burns. Kosiom told Kenya’s The Star that her boyfriend had also been admitted with burns on 30 percent of his body.
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According to the publication, authorities said the suspect entered Cheptegei’s home with a five-liter can of gasoline while the athlete was at church. When she returned, the suspect reportedly doused her with the liquid and set her on fire. Neighbors told police they heard the argument and pulled the couple from the flames. They were taken to the hospital.
The heartbreaking news comes almost two years after the deaths of two top athletes in Kenya. Agnes Tirop25, was found with stab wounds to her neck in October 2021, according to police reports obtained by Reuters. The main suspect was her husband, Ibrahim Rotichwho was charged with murder the following month. The 43-year-old denied the charges and is still awaiting trial.
And in April 2022, runners Damaris Mutua was found strangled in an apartment building. The main suspect in her murder was her boyfriend Eskinder Hailemariam SlideKenya’s nation reported at the time. According to the police commander of Iten Tom Makori, According to the outlet, he confessed to a girlfriend that he killed her before going into hiding. Authorities say he is wanted for arrest. The new Yorker reported in April 2023.
After Mutua’s death Maria Keitany referred to the overarching discussion surrounding the deaths of the athletes. a current report A study by the Kenya Demographic Health Survey found that 40 percent of women in the country have experienced physical or sexual violence from their partner at least once in their lives.
“The central issue is gender-based violence, which is now widespread among athletes,” said Keitany nation at the time. “We call for concerted efforts to raise awareness among athletes and help them escape the abuse that leads to loss of life.”
For more information about domestic violence or to get help for yourself or a loved one, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website (http://www.thehotline.org/) or call 1-800-799-7233.
