Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei was declared deceased on Thursday after she was doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend.

Rebecca Cheptegei was aged 33-year-old from Uganda, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, and suffered extensive burns after Sunday’s attack.

Reports indicate that the incident happened when Rebecca was returning to her home from church with her two daughters. The athlete and her ex-partner had been fighting over a piece of land.
Cheptegei had recently raced in the olympics marathon and finished as number 44.

Here are some of her notable achievements:

Paris Olympics Marathon Participant (2024): Rebecca competed in the marathon event at the Paris Olympics, where she finished in 44th place. Her participation at this level highlighted her status as a prominent athlete on the global stage.

Gold Medalist at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (2022): Rebecca won a gold medal at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This achievement showcased her versatility and strength in off-road and trail running, a discipline that requires exceptional endurance and adaptability. Rebecca’s achievements reflect her dedication and prowess in long-distance running, making her one of Uganda’s notable athletes in the sport. Her tragic passing is a significant loss to the athletics community.

Her death comes after the killings of fellow East African athletes Agnes Tirop in 2021 and Damaris Mutua the following year, must like her their partners identified as the main suspects in both cases by the authorities.