Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei Dead At 33 From Burn Injuries After Boyfriend Allegedly Set Her On Fire

Ugandan runner and Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has passed away after her boyfriend allegedly set her on fire. Cheptegei, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics just weeks prior to the attack, was taken to the hospital on Sept. 1st after suffering burns on more than 70 percent of her body. The athlete was allegedly set on fire by her boyfriend Dickson Ndiema, according to multiple outlets. Trans Nzoia county police commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom previously shared that Ndiema “bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement” at Cheptegei’s house in Kenya on Sunday, according to the Associated Press. Cheptegei placed 44th during the women’s marathon at the 2024 Olympics on Aug, 11. She was 33.