A SAD UPDATE:
This Paris Olympic marathon runner from Uganda, living in Kenya, was doused in gasoline and set on fire by her boyfriend after a fight.
Thirty-three-year-old Rebecca Cheptegei is currently being treated for severe burns covering 75% of her body, and an investigation is underway. Her boyfriend — hopefully now ex-boyfriend — also ended up with burns due to his insane actions.
Police say the couple had been arguing over the land where their house was built before Dickson Ndiema set her on fire. Cheptegei's parents said she had purchased land in Trans Nzoia County to be close to local athletic training centers.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom reported that on Sunday afternoon, while Rebecca and her children were at church, Dickson sneaked into their home with petrol, and attacked Cheptegei upon her arrival home. Neighbors quickly stepped in, put out the flames, and rushed both Rebecca and Dickson to Kitale County Referral Hospital for burn treatment.
The couple was heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her. The suspect was also caught by the fire and sustained serious burns.
The 2024 Paris Olympics were Cheptegei's first appearance at the Games, where she finished 44th.
Previously, Cheptegei won the Padova Marathon in 2022, came second in the 10,000 meters at the Ugandan Championships, and finished fourth in the ADNOC Abu Dhabi Marathon.
Needless to say, this woman was a great athlete with so much potential.
We'll have to wait and see how she recovers, and hopefully she'll be able to compete in the 2028 Olympics.
