Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei dies after being set alight by ex-boyfriend | BBC News

Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died days after being doused in petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend.

The 33-year-old Ugandan marathon runner, who competed in the recent Paris Olympics, suffered extensive burns after Sunday's attack.

Authorities said she was targeted after returning home from church with her two daughters. Police said an investigation is under way.

There are concerns about the increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya. Cheptegei is the third to have been killed since October 2021.

#Uganda #Olympics #BBCNews

[rachelmm]

He waited until she came home from church with her kids.. pre- meditated murder should never be allowed to go unpunished.. now these babies have no mom😢😢

[elizabethowiti]

Domestic violence against women in Kenya needs to be stopped.

[susanbishop]

Killed ?
Do you mean brutally murdered.

[lizowilliam]

too many Kenyan female athletes have perished this way, it is incredibly sad and infuriating. their country must stand up and protect these priceless gems!

[wemadeitpodcast]

Male insecurity is the most dangerous force in the world

[brucehsieh]

I am in utter shock right now... I still recall watching her competing with other top tier athletes in the 10k meter race at the Paris Olympics, and she was consistently in the lead group, never falling behind. Incredible stamina and perseverance. The world just lost an amazing talent. Her ex didn't deserve to be saved AT ALL!!!

[JudesFerry]

Why are we supposed to keep this guy alive?

[esauonlampkin]

Why ??? This is so cruel he deserves to go under the prison for his crime

[Red_]

This is so sad, such a tragedy. This guy has to be jailed!

[leohorishny]

Horrible!! What a vile human being, to do that to someone else!🤬🤬🤬🤬

[JackieDuncan-yq]

This is truly shocking, the poor children seeing their mum in Fire, very traumatic.

They need to educate men from young age, to be kind, compassionate and having Amicable separation.

What a ghastly individual.

[CulinaryGuide]

So tragic. She had her whole life ahead of her. Men around the world are violently jealous of women's accomplishments and ambition.

[benbanta]

This man needs to make an example of. It seems like every country has a misogyny problem and the way we raise and the culture around men and women need to change massively.

[adw]

Authorities said she was targeted after returning home from church with her two daughters.

[Darbymarbes]

If she wasn’t a high profile celebrity, this case would never get the attention.This is what you commonly see in these communities- whether it’s Kenya, Jamaica, certain demographics in the U.S. or Europe. I’m so sick of these violent, hateful, low-tiered men. 😢

[FingerTouch]

How could anyone do that to another person, especially someone you supposedly loved at one point?

[Jm]

This violence against women must end, its despicable. He needs life in jail. May she rest in peace 🙏

[welovelanzaclassy]

It's tragic that so many women in Kenya and the African continent are still waiting for equality, so many women in other countries have. These and cases like this are happening on a daily basis and domestic abuse must be addressed

[Tiarka]

Jealous of his own woman being a champion.🤬

[asedaadepah]

When I heard of her injury, my heart wept.
May your soul rest in peace.
Hearts out to Mum and entire bereaved family.