An athlete from Uganda, Rebeka Čeptegej died today at the age of 33 in a Kenyan hospital as a result of severe burns caused by her partner.
The death of the Olympic marathoner was confirmed by the spokesperson of the hospital in Eldoret, Owen Menach. He said Cheptegei died early this morning after all her organs failed. The athlete was sedated during her stay in the hospital.
Severe burns covered 80 percent of Cheptegei's body, inflicted by her partner Dixon Ndjema Marangač on Sunday. He entered her house in western Kenya, waited for her to return from church with the children, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire.
Marangač also suffered burns and is being treated in the same hospital in intensive care. As stated, burns affected 30 percent of his body, but he is in a stable condition.
Less than a month before the attack, Cheptegei competed at the Olympic Games in Paris and took 44th place in the marathon race.
The police report said the couple often argued over the land her house was built on.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who is a tragic victim of domestic violence. As an Association, we condemn such actions and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace," the Uganda Athletics Association said in a statement.
The president of the Uganda Olympic Committee, Donald Rukare, called the attack "a cowardly and senseless act that led to the loss of a great athlete."
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