Marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei set on fire by boyfriend

Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who recently competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been hospitalized with life-threatening burns after a horrifying attack allegedly carried out by her former boyfriend.

The incident, which took place in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya, has left the athletic community and fans reeling. Cheptegei had returned to Kenya for training when a heated argument over land ownership with her ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema, escalated into a nightmare.

Ndiema reportedly ambushed Cheptegei outside her home after purchasing petrol, which he used to set her ablaze. Both Cheptegei and Ndiema sustained severe burns in the attack, leading to their hospitalization at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.

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The brutal assault has sparked outrage, with many questioning the safety and well-being of female athletes. This shocking incident follows Cheptegei’s recent achievement of finishing 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, as well as her gold medal victory at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.

Local authorities have discovered evidence at the scene, including a burned phone and a jerry can, pointing to a premeditated act of violence. The tragic altercation, reportedly fueled by a dispute over the land where Rebecca Cheptegei had built her house, has left the community in disbelief.

As Cheptegei fights for her life, the Ugandan Athletics Federation and her supporters rally behind her, demanding justice for this brutal act. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that athletes, particularly women, can face even off the field.