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Rebecca Cheptegei: Man accused of fatally burning Ugandan Olympic athlete with petrol ‘also dead’ | World News

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The man accused of fatally burning a Ugandan Olympic athlete has also died, Kenyan media have reported.

Rebecca Cheptegei died last Thursday after she was left severely injured following an alleged dispute in Kenya over land.

The Kenya Star and Nation newspapers reported that Dickson Ndiema died on Monday night at the intensive care unit where he had been admitted after also suffering injuries in the attack.

It was at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the same facility where Ms Cheptegei was treated.

The Star reported that Ms Cheptegei suffered burns to 80% of her body while Ndiema suffered over 30% burns.

He was accused of buying a can of petrol, pouring it on her and setting her on fire during a disagreement.

Ms Cheptegei recently competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.

Rebecca Cheptegei, competes at the Discovery 10km road race in Kapchorwa, Uganda in 2023.
Pic: AP
Image:
Rebecca Cheptegei at a 10km road race Uganda in 2023. Pic: AP

The president of the International Olympic Committee said her participation had been a source of “inspiration”.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn about Rebecca Cheptegei’s death following the horrible attack against her. Rebecca’s participation in the Paris 2024 women’s marathon was a source of inspiration, pride and joy,” Thomas Bach said.

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