Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dies After Being Set Ablaze by Boyfriend

Tragedy struck the sports world on Thursday as Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries, four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, in Kenya.

The 33-year-old marathon runner, who participated in the Paris Olympics just weeks prior, suffered severe burns to 80% of her body and was being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). Despite medical efforts, Cheptegei’s condition deteriorated, and she developed a sepsis infection, leading to the failure of her organs and ultimately, her passing.

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The brutal attack has sparked outrage and highlighted the growing concern of gender-based violence in East Africa, with activists warning of a femicide epidemic. The Uganda Olympic Committee president, Donald Rukare, condemned the “cowardly and senseless act” and honored Cheptegei’s legacy, stating, “Her legacy will continue to endure.”

Cheptegei’s death serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action against gender-based violence and support for victims of domestic abuse.

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