Rebecca Cheptegei: Ugandan Olympic athlete dies after being doused in petrol and set on fire

Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died after she was severely burned by her partner over an alleged land dispute.

The marathon runner, 33, was taken to hospital in Kenya on Sunday, police said.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation posted on X: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.

"As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace."

[hattiecadwell]

Ex didn't like that she had done well and wasn't wanting her to succeed. Hope they get justice for their daughter and the man is put behind bars.

[lolalalia]

To all men that are bothered by this: PLEASE talk to other men and young boys about the dangers women face. Talk to them about how as a collective society, we all bear the brunt of femicide and mysogyny. Your silence is killing us. Every single woman I know has endured abuse by a man. We grow up expecting that it will happen and how to mitigate the effects of that abuse. We endure because that is our only option. We endure cuz the world needs us. We are your mother, sister, wife and daughter and we are hurting!

[veraroyen]

We can't imagine that something like this can happen on earth 😱😭😡. Hopefully it will change society 😢🙏😭. She was so beautiful and strong. Her family will not recover from this loss. 😓

[roberttitchener]

It really can't get my head around some things that go on in the world

[finnishyank]

I hope her family gets justice but sadly I doubt they will. This happens far too often around the world and the "man", I use quotations because a real man doesn't do this, gets away with it.

[guymichelasseke]

R.I.P & LONG LIVE REBECCA CHEPTEGEI 🏃🏾‍♀️‍➡️🙏🏾🕊🕯💔❤️‍🩹💐🥀🪦😔

[AbigailBrown-wkxl]

Rebecca was an amazing athlete. It is so sad . My condolences to Rebecca's family ❤❤😢😢

[paulinaowiredu]

Very sad, deepest condolences to Rebecca's entire family and friends. RIP

[CJones-]

The one thing the media will NEVER mention in these stories; culture.

[sifisodube]

Evil evil the devil is playing in are minds madness sick sick people out there

[ShashVimi]

This domestic violence got to stop
Who told him he can take someone’s life .
RIP beautiful soul .

[punchy]

FFS life means nothing in some countries

[nancycole-auguste]

Rebecca, a martyr for the plight of women in a world of backward men.

[Steven-vwdz]

Could it be possible that the killer had accepted a big amount of money from someone for unknown purpose?

[milliondogs]

For anyone appaled by this. It's happening every day, has happened for many years, and will continue to happen until these countries can move beyond stone age thinking.