Just a month ago, she was living her sporting dream when she competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics. But now runner Rebecca Cheptegei (33) has experienced almost literal hell. She became the victim of a disgusting attack!
Cross-country runner Cheptegei was set on fire at her home in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia Western District by her boyfriend Dickson Ndiema after dousing her with petrol. According to the BBC the Ugandan athlete has burns on 75 percent of her body and is in critical condition. Why did her partner resort to something so horrible?
The reason was said to be a dispute over a plot of land in Trans Nzoia district, which Cheptegei bought to be closer to Kenyan sports training centres. According to Al Jazeera, Ndiema allegedly broke into the house while the marathon runner was at church.
Ndiema himself also suffered burns during the attack and was taken to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret together with Cheptegei.
Cheptegei qualified for this year’s Olympics during the marathon in Abu Dhabi, when she set a personal best with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 47 seconds. Under five rings, she was then placed in 44th place with a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes and 14 seconds.
Cheptegei suffered burns on 75 percent of her body.
