Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has died in Kenya four days after being set alight her former boyfriend, Ugandan athletics officials said Thursday.
President of the Uganda Olympic Committee Donald Rukare said in a post on X, “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, following a vicious attack by her former boyfriend.
“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure,” he added.
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According to police, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Cheptegei’s former partner, allegedly doused her with fuel and set her alight at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia’s western county.
The tragedy happened two weeks after Cheptegei, 33, competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, finishing 44th.
Cheptegei suffered burns to 80 percent of her body and was struggling for her life in a Kenyan hospital, according to the facility’s acting director.
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<img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/05081850/Screenshot-2024-09-05-081509.jpg" alt="Ugandan Olympian set on fire by boyfriend…