A Ugandan athlete who recently competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics was hospitalized this week in critical condition after her boyfriend attacked her and set her on fire, according to police.
According to CBS News, police said that Rebecca Cheptegei, who finished in 44th place as a distance runner at the 2024 Paris Olympics, sustained burns on 75% of her body after she was attacked and set on fire by her boyfriend at her home in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia County on Sunday. The BBC reported that Cheptegei remained in critical condition as of Tuesday.
According to The BBC, Cheptegei was rescued by her neighbors after the incident occurred in the town of Endebess. The outlet noted that the Olympian was returning home from church with her two children when she was attacked by her boyfriend.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom told reporters that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly brought a container of petrol to her house, poured it on the Olympian, and set her on fire during an argument outside the house.
“The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house,” Kosiom said. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”
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According to the BBC, Ndiema also suffered burn wounds during the incident. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema are receiving medical treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, which is the main town in the area.
Describing Cheptegei’s condition, an anonymous Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital staff member reportedly said, “Her condition looks serious with facial burns and bandages.”
Dr. Owen Benach, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital’s senior director of clinical services, told reporters that a “high-profile patient” had been “fully sedated because of the extent of the burns.”
The BBC reported that the Olympian had purchased land in Trans Nzoia so she could be near the country’s various athletic training centers.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Uganda Athletics Federation shared pictures of Cheptegei and expressed regret over the incident.
“We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret,” the Uganda Athletics Federation wrote. “This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her.”
