Ugandan Olympic Marathon star Rebecca Cheptegei confirmed dead at 33

The doctors confirmed that Rebecca Cheptegei suffered 80% burns on her body after she was attacked calamitously by her ex-boyfriend. The signs were clear that she was going to lose the battle for survival after she was confirmed to be “fighting for her life”.

Beatrice Cheptegei, 33, finished 44th in the Paris Olympic Games Marathon. She has been in the Athletic system for quiet a long time.

The marathon runner was set on fire after being doused in petrol by her boyfriend. A disagreement over a piece of land and a house built by the late Rebecca is the main reason for the fight between the former love birds.

Dickson Ndiema, the late Rebecca Cheptegei’s boyfriend sneaked into her room on early Sunday when she was at church with her two children. Around 2am, Rebecca returned home only to see the ex-boyfriend in her room. A disagreement ensued leading to Dickson pouring petrol all over Rebecca and setting her on fire. Neighbors saved her and rushed her to hospital as she received an intensive care.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation posted on X: “We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.

“May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women.

“This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”

“We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei OLY following a vicious attack by her boyfriend.

“May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure,” Uganda’s Olympic Committee chief Donald Rukare said.

Owen Menac, the acting director of the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, said “we lost her after all her organs failed” on Wednesday night.

Rest in Peace to Rebecca Cheptegei.