The National Olympics Committee (NOC) has joined leaders and the sports family in condoling with the family of former Ugandan athlete, the late Rebecca Cheptegei, following her death.
Cheptegei who has been undergoing treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret succumbed to the injuries Wednesday.
In a statement, NOC has termed her tragic death as a “profound” loss.
“On behalf of Team Kenya, we extend our deepest condolences to the Ugandan sports community, family, and friends,” a brief statement on its page reads.
Her talent, and perseverance as Uganda’s Women’s Marathon record holder and a Paris 2024 Olympian, it said, will always be remembered and celebrated.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time as we honor her legacy and advocate for an end to gender-based violence,” it adds.
Cheptegei had been admitted to the ICU after sustaining burn injuries after her alleged boyfriend doused her body with petrol and set her on fire.
The burns are said to have damaged most of her organs, doctors at the facility said.
She was due to be airlifted to Nairobi Wednesday for specialised treatment.
The said boyfriend Dickson Ndiema Marangach also sustained burn injuries during the attack.
He was also admitted to the same ICU facility with about 30 per cent burns.
Neighbours had a commotion and rescued the two who were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Cheptegei's father Mzee Joseph Cheptegiei clarified that the two were just friends for some time.
He claimed they had been quarrelling over her land at Endebes in Trans Nzoia where the attack occurred.
“They were just friends and I wonder why he wanted to take away things belonging to my daughter,” Mzee Cheptegei stated.
The father said the two had a case which was being investigated by the DCI.
He said the athlete has two children whose father is a different person living in Uganda.
Mzee Cheptegei said the two had separated for long but on Sunday the Marangach sneaked into the home where he staged the attack.
