The city of Paris, France, will pay tribute to Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically lost her life at the age of 33 after a brutal attack in Kenya.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced plans to name a sports venue in Cheptegei’s honour, ensuring her memory endures and symbolizing the message of equality promoted by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cheptegei, who competed in the women’s marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was killed after being set on fire by her partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.
It was reported that Marangach doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her alight at her home in Endebess, in the western county of Trans-Nzoia.
She was rushed to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret and immediately placed in the Intensive Care Unit. However, she succumbed to her injuries on Thursday, September 4.
Cheptegei recently competed in the Women’s Marathon race at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 44th with a time of 2:32:14.
She also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022. She was a mother of two children, whose father lives in Uganda.
