IN a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the athletic world, Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died, her promising career brutally halted by an alleged act of gender-based violence.
Just weeks after representing Uganda in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Cheptegei returned to her training grounds in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia County. However, instead of preparing for her next race, she now battles severe burns covering 75% of her body – the result of a horrific attack allegedly perpetrated by her former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom said the incident occurred on a Sunday afternoon. Ndiema allegedly entered Cheptegei’s compound while she and her children were at church. Upon their return, a heated argument ensued outside the house. In a terrifying escalation, Ndiema reportedly doused Cheptegei with petrol before setting her ablaze.
Neighbours rushed to Cheptegei’s aid, managing to extinguish the flames, but not before both she and Ndiema sustained extensive burns. She lost her life at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city, where she was treated.
This tragic incident highlights the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in sports and society at large. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in the Olympic marathon and held a gold medal from the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, now faces a gruelling recovery instead of preparing for her next athletic achievement.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident in the running world. Other recent tragedies include the deaths of Ugandan Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat and Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Muthee, both under violent circumstances.
As the athletic community rallies around Cheptegei’s family, her story serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address domestic violence and ensure the safety of all athletes, both on and off the field.
