Disturbing scene unfolds as Paris Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei suffers severe burns after alleged attack by former boyfriend

In a shocking turn of events, a disturbing scene has unfolded involving Paris Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei. The Ugandan long-distance runner suffered severe burns following an alleged attack by her boyfriend.

The 33-year-old athlete is battling for survival in a Kenyan hospital after the alleged assault by her former boyfriend Dickson Ndiema, who set her on fire at her home in the small town of Endebess in western Kenya. According to BBC, Cheptegei purchased a piece of land in Trans Nzoia County and built a house to pursue her athletic training.

According to a local report, the conflict was fueled by an ongoing dispute between the Ugandan athlete and her former Kenyan boyfriend. The harrowing incident occurred after Cheptegei returned from church with her two children. The pair were heard arguing over the land outside the house when Ndiema poured the petrol and set her ablaze.

Cheptegei and Ndiema were rushed to the Moi Referral Hospital in the nearby main town in the city of Eldoret for specialized treatment. The police investigation is still underway. Jeremiah Ole Kosiom, the Trans Nzoia County’s police commander said:

“The couple were heard quarrelling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” Ole Kosiom stated according to The Guardian.

The Uganda Athletics Federation also expressed their grief while sharing the news with the fans on social media.

"We regret to announce that our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalised at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret,” it said. “This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire on her."

The Cheptegei tragedy highlighted the rise in crime against female athletes in the region. In October 2021, a two-time world 10km bronze medallist Agnes Tirop was found stabbed to death in Iten.

Moreover, in April 2022, Bahrainian athlete Damaris Mutua was discovered strangled with a pillow over her face in the same town.

Rebecca Cheptegei earned the spot to compete at the Paris Olympics after her exploits at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

Rebecca Cheptegei claimed the gold medal in the Up and Downhill Mountain Race at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. She clocked a stunning time of 46.25 to defeat her fellow teammate Annet Chelangat, who posted 46.52.

Further, in December 2022, she settled in fourth place in the women's marathon at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Marathon, a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race. She finished the race in 2:22:46.

Given her victories, Rebecca Cheptegei earned a spot to compete in the Paris Games, where she settled in 44th place after registering her season best of 2:23.14.