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German Ugandan Olympic Athlete Set on Fire by Boyfriend in Shocking Attack
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Ugandan Olympic Athlete Set on Fire by Boyfriend in Shocking Attack
Eldoret, Kenya — Ugandan distance runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who represented her country at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is fighting for her life after a horrific attack by her boyfriend in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia County. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the marathon at the Olympics, sustained severe burns on 75% of her body after being set on fire during a domestic dispute on Sunday.
According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, the incident occurred when Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, purchased a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her, and ignited it following a heated argument. Ndiema also suffered burns during the incident. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema are receiving specialized treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where their conditions remain critical.
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The shocking attack has sent ripples through the sports community, as Cheptegei’s dedication to her athletic career was well-known. Her parents revealed that she had recently purchased land in Trans Nzoia to be closer to the county’s renowned athletic training centers. It was on this property that the tragic event unfolded.
A report filed by the local chief indicates that the couple had been arguing over the land where their house was built, shortly before the fire broke out.
This tragic incident follows a disturbing trend of violence against athletes in the region. In 2023, Ugandan Olympic runner and steeplechaser Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds, and in 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee was discovered dead, with a postmortem report confirming that she had been strangled.
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The sports world is now rallying around Cheptegei, with many expressing their shock and calling for stronger measures to protect athletes from domestic violence. The incident highlights the urgent need for awareness and intervention in cases of domestic abuse, which continue to claim lives and destroy promising careers.
As Cheptegei battles for her life, the entire sports community remains hopeful for her recovery, while also mourning the persistent violence that continues to haunt those who have dedicated their lives to excellence in sport.
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