A heartbreaking incident has emerged from Kenya involving Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who represented Uganda in the recent Olympics.
Cheptegei was attacked and set on fire by her boyfriend at her home and is currently hospitalized, recovering from her injuries.
According to police reports, the couple had an intense disagreement at their residence in Kenya on Sunday, which quickly escalated into violence. Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom stated that witnesses heard the couple arguing outside their home. During the altercation, the boyfriend was observed pouring a flammable liquid on Cheptegei before igniting it. Commander Kosiom noted that Dickson Ndiema, the boyfriend, had purchased a can of “petrol” specifically for this purpose.
Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, who participated in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, was rushed to the hospital with severe burns covering 75% of her body. In the course of the incident, her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, also sustained burn injuries. Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this horrific event.
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. This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her pic.twitter.com/rgnWvgTpkb
— Uganda Athletics Federation-UAF (@UgaAthletics2) September 3, 2024
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More on Rebecca Cheptegei
Rebecca Cheptegei made her Olympic debut this year at the Paris Olympics, competing as a distance runner and finishing in 44th place. This marked her first experience on the Olympic stage.
Amid this news, sports fans online are sending Rebecca Cheptegei messages as well as prayers for a full recovery. One X user wrote, “Praying so hard for her complete recovery. This poor woman. I hope she is safe now and being loved and cared for.” Another said, “Women are not a possession which you can do whatever you wish with, to make decisions for, to throw around or set on fire. It’s never too early to get out, pls don’t let it be too late. My heart is with Rebecca Cheptegei and all women in abusive relationships.”
We will continue to keep you updated as this story develops.
I am wishing you well no one deserves to be treated this way,because of your not understanding me