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Rebecca Cheptegei, a Ugandan marathon runner who finished 44th in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is in critical condition after an alleged attack by her boyfriend.
Cheptegei has sustained severe burns covering 75% of her body following an incident at her home in Trans Nzoia County, western Kenya. According to The Star, a Kenyan newspaper, the assault occurred during a disagreement on Sunday.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom reported that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of petrol, poured it on her, and then set her on fire. Ndiema also suffered burn injuries, and both he and Cheptegei are receiving treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret.
Cheptegei’s parents disclosed that the 33-year-old athlete had recently bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s athletic training facilities. A report from the local chief suggests that the couple had been arguing over the land before the fire started.
Cheptegei qualified for the Paris Olympics marathon after setting a personal best time of 2:22:47 at the Abu Dhabi Marathon in December 2022. She also achieved a 14th place finish in the marathon at the 2023 World Championships.
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