Tragic Death of Olympic Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei

Rebecca Cheptegei, a 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, tragically passed away after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend. Cheptegei, who lived and trained in north-west Kenya, suffered severe burns from an attack that occurred last Sunday.

Authorities reported that she was targeted upon returning from church with her two daughters. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief over losing a "very supportive" daughter, while fellow athlete James Kirwa highlighted her generosity in helping other runners financially.

Allegations indicate that the dispute was related to a land wrangle between Cheptegei and her ex-partner. The Ugandan athlete had bought a plot and built a house in Trans Nzoia county to be near Kenya's elite athletics training centers. An investigation is ongoing.

The rise in gender-based violence in Kenya has become a major concern, with a national survey in 2022 indicating that at least 34% of women had experienced physical violence. Kenya's Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating that Cheptegei's death is a stark reminder.

Medical staff at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital did their utmost to save Cheptegei, but she succumbed to multi-organ failure early in the morning. Her father appealed to the Kenyan government for justice, stressing the impact on Cheptegei's two children, aged 12 and 13.

Friends and colleagues, including Kirwa and Uganda's athletics federation, mourned her passing, condemning the act of violence. Kirwa recalled how Cheptegei supported others, even bringing back training shoes from the Olympics. British Olympian Eilish McColgan echoed the sentiments on social media, lamenting the repeated loss of female athletes to domestic violence.

Cheptegei's ex-boyfriend, who also sustained burns, is in hospital with a stable condition but less severe injuries. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the boyfriend pour a liquid on Cheptegei before igniting it.

Donald Rukare of Uganda's Olympic committee called the act "cowardly and senseless," emphasizing Cheptegei's enduring legacy.

In addition to finishing 44th in the Paris Olympic marathon, Cheptegei had previously won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2022. Her death follows similar tragic incidents involving East African athletes Agnes Tirop and Damaris Mutua.

Tirop's husband faces murder charges, while authorities continue to search for Mutua's boyfriend. Cheptegei's death has left a void in both her family and the athletics community, underscoring the dire need for action against gender-based violence.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Chelsea winger Angelo joined Al-Nassr for £19.1m.