Rebecca Cheptegei, a marathon runner who represented Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has died following an incident where she was allegedly set on fire by her boyfriend.
Cheptegei suffered severe burns on 75% of her body and was hospitalized in critical condition after a dispute with her boyfriend. The head of Uganda’s Olympics committee confirmed her death via Twitter/X.
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, purchased petrol, poured it on her, and ignited it during an argument on Sunday. Ndiema also suffered burn injuries.
