A sports venue in Paris has been renamed in honor of Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically lost her life after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.
The 33-year-old athlete died on Thursday, September 5, from severe injuries sustained after being doused in petrol and ignited in her home. She suffered burns covering 80 percent of her body in the horrific attack, which authorities believe was carried out by her former partner.
Cheptegei was initially admitted to the intensive care unit at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Despite efforts to save her, the hospital’s acting director, Dr. Owen Menach, confirmed her passing.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that a sports venue in the city will be renamed in honor of Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, as reported by Le Monde, commemorating her legacy.
“Paris will not forget her,” Hidalgo said. “We will dedicate a sports site to her memory, ensuring that her story strengthens the message of equality championed by the Olympic and Paralympic Games. She amazed us here in Paris. We saw her beauty, strength, and freedom—qualities that may have been intolerable to the person responsible for her murder.”
Cheptegei had recently competed in the marathon at the Olympics, finishing in 44th place. According to Kenyan authorities, she was attacked at her home in Trans Nzoia County, where she had moved to improve her training.
Kenyan Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom confirmed that her ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema, doused her with petrol and set her on fire during an argument. Investigators found a five-liter jerry can, a bag, and a burned phone at the scene, as reported by The Nation.
Dr. Owen Menach, acting director of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, told the Kenyan press, “Unfortunately, we lost her after all her organs failed.”
Donald Rukare, president of the Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC), expressed grief on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei after a vicious attack by her boyfriend. This senseless act has taken away a great athlete, but her legacy will live on.”
In a press release, Rukare urged law enforcement to ensure the perpetrator is brought to justice swiftly.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed his sorrow, stating, “Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic circumstances. Rebecca was an incredibly versatile runner with much more to give in road races, mountain running, and cross-country.”
Rebecca’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, speaking from the hospital alongside her sister, Evalyne Chelagat, disclosed that the argument before the alleged attack was over Rebecca’s land in Endebes, Trans Nzoia. “They were just friends, and I don’t understand why he wanted to take my daughter’s belongings,” he told The Star, adding that Rebecca’s two children have a different father who lives in Uganda.
He also mentioned that Rebecca and Dickson Ndiema, her ex-boyfriend, had been separated for some time and were involved in an ongoing investigation by Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Both Cheptegei and Police Commander Kosiom stated that Ndiema had sneaked into Rebecca’s home to carry out the attack.