By: Nana Kwame Bediako
Ugandan marathon runner and Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away. She succumbed to injuries days after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend. The attack followed a heated dispute over a piece of land.
Rebecca Cheptegei, who was just 33 years old, suffered burns to approximately 75% of her body. Despite the immediate medical attention she received, the severity of her injuries proved fatal. The incident has shocked the sports community, leaving many in mourning.
Cheptegei is a celebrated athlete in Uganda, known for her endurance and determination. She represented Uganda in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She competed in the 10,000 m and the women’s marathon, finishing the marathon in 44th place with a time of 2:32:14.
Her participation in various marathons and her representation of Uganda in international competitions made her a beloved figure in the sports world. Her untimely death has brought attention to issues of domestic violence and the need for more robust measures to protect individuals from such heinous acts.
Rebecca’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, expressed his grief and called for justice in the wake of his daughter’s death. “We call for justice to prevail for what happened to my daughter,” he told the media just a day before her passing.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and the former boyfriend has been apprehended. The tragic event has also sparked conversations about the importance of addressing land disputes through legal and peaceful means. Many are calling for stricter enforcement of laws to prevent such violent outcomes in the future.
As the world mourns the loss of a talented athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei’s legacy will likely inspire future generations. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges many face and the importance of addressing underlying societal issues to prevent such tragedies.
