The 33-year-old marathon runner from Uganda, Rebecca Cheptegei, lost the battle for her life, who a few days ago was the victim of a brutal attack by her Kenyan partner, inside the house where the couple lives.

The assailant doused her in petrol after an argument and Cheptegei was rushed to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret with severe burns.

The 33-year-old athlete, who finished 44th in the Marathon at the Paris Olympics, was hospitalized in a “critical condition, with burns on more than 80% of her body,” according to the treating doctors.

According to Agence France-Presse, her condition worsened after she “developed a bacterial sepsis infection”.

“We have learned of the sad death of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei, who was a victim of domestic violence. As a Federation we condemn such actions and demand justice,” writes the Uganda Athletic Feferation in its post on the X platform.

How did the attack happen?

Her partner, identified as Dixon Diema Marangas, entered Cheptegi’s home around 2pm local time while she was at church with her children.

When they returned from church, the alleged attacker doused her with petrol and set her on fire in front of her children, two girls aged 9 and 11, according to The Standard newspaper.

The unfortunate athlete lived with her sister and her two children in this house she had built in the town of Entebbe, located 25 kilometers from the border with Uganda.