2024-09-06 02:19:31
New Delhi: Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei died in Kenya on Thursday. Her boyfriend set her on fire, burning her so badly that she could not survive. This is another horrific example of gender-based violence in the East African country. Let us tell you that Rebecca recently participated in the Olympic Games held in Paris. Uganda Olympic Committee President Donald Rukare said in a post, ‘We have learned about the tragic death of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei … after she was attacked by her boyfriend.’ He said, “It was a cowardly and senseless act that ended the life of a great athlete. His legacy will remain forever.” According to the police, the person who did this was identified as none other than Cheptegei’s boyfriend Dickson Ndiema. He entered Rebecca’s house on Sunday and sprinkled petrol on her and set her on fire. 33-year-old Cheptegei had participated in the marathon at the Paris Olympics just a few days before this incident. Where she finished 44th.
80 percent of the athlete’s body was burnt
Let us tell you that 80 percent of Rebecca Cheptegei’s body was burnt in the attack. This information was given by the head of the hospital treating her on Tuesday. A doctor from the hospital told AFP on Thursday, ‘All her organs stopped working last night.’
The nurse treating Cheptegei said he died at 5:00 a.m. A medical counselor at the hospital said on Wednesday that Cheptegei’s condition had deteriorated and he had developed a sepsis infection.
The Uganda Athletics Federation said on X: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei who fell victim to domestic violence this morning. As a federation we condemn such acts and demand justice. May her soul rest in peace.”