Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan marathon runner who recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, has tragically died after suffering severe burns from an attack by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.
The incident occurred on September 1, 2024, when Ndiema allegedly doused her with petrol and set her on fire during a dispute over land. READ FULL STORY
Cheptegei sustained burns covering approximately 80% of her body and was hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.
Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on September 5, 2024, after her organs failed
The Uganda Olympic Committee expressed deep sorrow over her death, condemning the violence against women and emphasizing Cheptegei’s legacy as a remarkable athlete.
Early career
Cheptegei was born on February 22, 1991, in Uganda.
Her early career began in 2010 when she competed in the U20 race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, finishing 15th.
That year, Cheptegei also won the 10,000m race in Kampala and achieved various placements in 1500m events across Germany and Poland.
In 2011, she continued to excel, finishing 2nd at the Madrid Half Marathon and participating in multiple international competitions, including the CISM Military World Games.
By 2013, Cheptegei had secured victories at events like the ‘Cross Internacional Ciutat de Granollers’ and the 10,000m in Crevillente, Spain.
Senior career
Cheptegei’s senior career began to take shape in 2014 when she showcased her talent on the international stage.
That year, she finished 14th in the 5000m at the Meeting Iberoamericano de Atletismo in Huelva, Spain, clocking a time of 15:40.37.
She also competed in the 3000m at the Reunion Internacional De Atletismo in Bilbao, where she secured an 8th place finish with a time of 9:01.54.
Additionally, Cheptegei won the Santa Pola 10 km road race in Santa Pola, Spain, finishing with an impressive time of 32:12.
Her performance at the African Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda, was notable as she finished 3rd in the senior women’s race, further establishing her presence in the athletics community.
In 2016, Cheptegei participated in only one significant event, where she finished 7th in the 10,000m at the Payton Jordan Invitational in Stanford, USA, achieving a time of 31:46.53.
The year 2022 marked a significant milestone in Cheptegei’s career when she achieved a personal best time of 2:22:47 at the Abu Dhabi Marathon, which qualified her for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Her performance continued to shine in 2023 when she won a silver medal at the Padova Women’s Marathon in Italy, finishing with a remarkable time of 2:24:03.
Domestic violence among athletes
This incident is not isolated, domestic violence among athletes in Kenya has emerged as a critical issue, highlighted by recent tragic incidents involving prominent female athletes.
The deaths of other athletes, such as Agnes Tirop, who was found stabbed in her home in 2021, and Damaris Mutua, who was strangled in 2022, reflect a disturbing pattern of violence.
Both women were killed by their partners, raising concerns about the safety of female athletes in Kenya.
A survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics revealed that a significant percentage of women have experienced domestic violence, with 34% reporting abuse since the age of 15.
Despite legislative efforts to combat domestic violence, societal attitudes persist, with many believing that a husband is justified in beating his wife.
Activism has increased, with movements like Tirop’s Angels advocating for change and support for victims.
The ongoing violence against female athletes in Kenya calls for urgent attention and action to ensure their safety and well-being.
