Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei died in a Kenyan hospital where she was being treated after suffering burns over 80 percent of her body in an attack by her partner.
She was 33 years old.
Owen Menak, spokesman for Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, confirmed Cheptegei's death on Thursday.
Menack said the long-distance runner died in the early hours of the morning from organ failure. She had been fully sedated when admitted to hospital.
Less than a month before the attack, Cheptegei competed in the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she finished 44th.
Her father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters at the hospital that he had lost a daughter who was “very supportive” of him and hoped justice would be served.
Trans-Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah Ole Kosiom on Monday said Ms Cheptegei's partner, Dickson Ndiema, bought a can of petrol during an argument on Sunday, poured it on her and set her on fire.
Ndiema also suffered burns and was being treated at the same hospital.
Menack said Ndiema suffered burns over more than 30 percent of his body and remained in intensive care but was “recovering and in a stable condition”.
Ms Cheptegei's parents said they bought land in Trans Nzoia for their daughter to live close to the many athletic training centres in the county.
According to a report filed by the local chief, before the attack they could hear two people fighting over the land on which her house stood.
The Uganda Athletics Federation paid tribute to Cheptegei on social platform X, writing: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Uganda Athletics Federation athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically became the victim of domestic violence early this morning.”
As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest in peace.”
Uganda Olympic Committee president Donald Lukare called the attack a “cowardly and senseless act that led to the death of a great athlete.”
In 2023, Ugandan Olympic track and field athlete and steeplechase athlete Benjamin Kiplagat was found dead with stab wounds.
In 2022, Kenyan-born Bahraini athlete Damaris Mutheh was found dead and an autopsy report stated he had been strangled.
In 2021, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop was stabbed to death in her home.
Her husband, Ibrahim Rotich, was arrested and charged with murder and the trial is ongoing.
