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Tragic Death of Ugandan Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in Kenya
Explore the tragic death of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei in Kenya. This article delves into her remarkable career, the circumstances surrounding her untimely passing, and the impact on the athletics community.
Tragic Passing of Ugandan Athlete Rebecca Cheptegei
Rebecca Cheptegei, a renowned Ugandan long-distance runner, tragically passed away on Thursday in Kenya at the age of 33. She was undergoing treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, where she succumbed to multiple organ failure after suffering severe burns in a horrific incident.
Dr. Owen Menach, a medical professional at the hospital, confirmed that Cheptegei had been hospitalized with burns covering 80 percent of her body. Her kidneys had also failed at the time of her admission, underscoring the severity of her condition.
Cheptegei represented Uganda in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th. Her qualification for the Olympics was a remarkable achievement, having clocked a personal best time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 47 seconds at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in 2022. She was also celebrated for her victory in the 2022 Up and Downhill race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Thailand.
In 2023, Cheptegei showcased her endurance skills by finishing 14th in the marathon at the World Championships in Hungary. Most recently, she secured a commendable fourth place in the half marathon at the 2024 African Games in Ghana.
The circumstances surrounding her death have shocked many, with the police identifying her attacker as Dickson Ndiema, a man reportedly in a relationship with her. According to her father, Joseph Cheptegei, the couple was embroiled in a property dispute. The police reported that Ndiema had entered her residence with a jerrycan filled with gasoline, which he poured on her before setting her ablaze.
Authorities in Kenya are currently investigating the details of this tragic event. Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s state minister for sports, expressed his condolences on social media, emphasizing the need for justice. Meanwhile, Donald Rukare, the president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, denounced the attack as a “cowardly and senseless act” that has robbed the world of a remarkable athlete.