Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away just days after a brutal attack that has shocked the sporting world. The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, sadly has passed after injuries sustained by being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend.

The horrific incident took place last Sunday in north-west Kenya, where Cheptegei resided and trained. She was ambushed upon returning home from church with her two daughters. Authorities revealed that Cheptegei had suffered extensive burns from the attack, leading to her untimely death.

A police report suggests that a dispute over land ownership with her ex-partner may have been the root cause of the assault. Cheptegei had purchased land in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia county, building a house there to be closer to the region's renowned elite athletics training centres. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death is currently underway.

Cheptegei’s family and the athletics community are devastated by her loss. Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed deep sorrow, describing her as a “very supportive” daughter. Fellow Ugandan athlete James Kirwa, speaking to the BBC, recounted her generous nature, noting how she had often helped other runners financially.

The tragedy also shines a light on the growing issue of gender-based violence in Kenya. A national survey conducted in 2022 found that at least 34% of women had experienced physical violence, a statistic that mirrors Cheptegei’s tragic fate. The country’s Sports Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, acknowledged the growing concern, stating, “This tragedy is a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat gender-based violence, which has increasingly affected even elite sports.”

Cheptegei’s death has not only left a deep void in the world of athletics but also heightened the urgency for action against violence towards women, particularly in regions where such incidents have become increasingly common.

‍