Ugandan long-distance athlete Rebecca Cheptegei died on Thursday at the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret after days of battling for her life at the medical facility.
Cheptegei reportedly suffered 80 per cent burns on Sunday after she was doused in petrol by her estranged boyfriend who also sustained burns during the incident.
According to the Trans Nzoia Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Koisiom, the deceased's boyfriend bought a jerrican of petrol and poured it on her before setting Cheptegei ablaze.
The area chief while detailing the occurrence revealed he heard the two fighting over the ownership of a piece of land where their house was built, a situation locals believed preceded the tragic incident.
While addressing the matter, Cheptegei's parents claimed the athlete bought the piece of land as she wished to be near the athletes' training centre.
Earlier this week, Uganda's Athletics Federation released a statement condemning the incident. In its statement, the federation confirmed the athlete sustained serious injuries.
"We regret to announce that our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei who competed at the Olympics has suffered severe injuries and is hospitalized at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret," the federation announced.
"This follows an incident involving her Kenyan boyfriend pouring petrol and setting fire to her.
At the scene of the tragedy, police officers managed to recover a five-litre jerrican containing petrol and a mobile phone believed to belong to the deceased's boyfriend.
The tragic occurrence followed weeks after Cheptegei participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics where she emerged 48th position in a competitive race.
Meanwhile, detectives are still conducting investigations which were still ongoing by the time of publishing this article.
Cheptegei's tragedy marks the latest horrific occurrence involving athletes within the East African region.
