Olympic Runner In Critical Condition After Being Doused With Gasoline, Set On Fire

Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition after allegedly being doused in gasoline and set on fire by her boyfriend.

The 33-year-old Olympic athlete who most recently competed in Paris had extensive burns on over 75% of her body, according to her doctor, per a BBC News report. She was attacked at her home in western Kenya just across the border from Uganda.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said on Monday that the attack occurred on Sunday, September 1, following a dispute between her and boyfriend Dickson Ndiema. She was said to be returning from church with her two children when the attack occurred. The report alleged the fight had to do with a land dispute.

“The couple were heard quarreling outside their house. During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,” Kosiom said, per the outlet.

Cheptegei finished 44th in the marathon at the Paris Olympics this summer. She previously won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022, per BBC.

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Ndiema also sustained injuries and was hospitalized.

Kosiom told The Standard, “[Ndiema] is believed to have sneaked into the compound at around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday while the wife and the children were in church. Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze.”

Neighbors are said to have rescued both injured parties and extinguished the flames. Both were transported to Kitale County Referral Hospital. Cheptegei’s parents said she had purchased the property in Trans Nzoia and built a house to be closer to training facilities.