Olympic marathon runner dies after being 'set on fire' by ex-boyfriend in petrol attack
Cheptegei was left with burns covering 75 per cent of her body following the attack
REUTERS
Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after allegedly being doused in petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.
Cheptegei, 33, had competed in last month's Paris Olympics - and following the news of the attack earlier this week, the head of the Ugandan Olympic committee confirmed her death today.
In a social media statement on Thursday morning, Donald Rukare, the president of Uganda Olympics Committee wrote: "We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei... following a vicious attack by her boyfriend."
Rukare spoke out on the attack online, writing: "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."
Cheptegei (left) pictured during the women's marathon final at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest last year
REUTERS
Kenya's Olympic team also paid tribute to Cheptegei, writing: "On behalf of Team Kenya, we extend our deepest condolences to the Ugandan sports community, family, and friends of Rebecca Cheptegei.
"Rebecca's talent, and perseverance as Uganda's Women's Marathon record holder and a Paris 2024 Olympian will always be remembered and celebrated.
"Her untimely and tragic passing is a profound loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time as we honour her legacy and advocate for an end to gender-based violence.
"May her soul rest in peace."
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Cheptegei was left with burns covering 75 per cent of her body following the attackREUTERSCheptegei had suffered burns to three quarters of her body in the "senseless" attack - understood to have taken place on Sunday at her home in western Kenya, where she had been training.
The marathon runner, understood to be a mother-of-two, had been rescued by neighbours and rushed to Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, in Kenya's Rift Valley, following the attack.
Dr Owen Menach, the acting head of the hospital in Eldoret to which Cheptegei had been admitted, told local media that she had died after "all her organs" failed.
Kenyan Police said that the alleged attacker, Cheptegei's ex-boyfriend Dickson Ndiema, doused her with petrol and set her ablaze after an argument.
Ndiema also sustained a number of serious burns following the attack, police commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said.
The runner's father, Joseph Cheptegei, said earlier this week that he was praying "for justice for my daughter"
REUTERS
He told reporters: "The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house... During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her."
Investigators had uncovered a five-litre jerry can, a bag and a burned phone at the scene of the alleged crime, Kenyan outlet The Nation reported.
While the runner's father, Joseph Cheptegei, said earlier this week that he was praying "for justice for my daughter", adding that she and her alleged attacker were "just friends".
"I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter," he added.