Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei has been hospitalised with 75 percent burns after her boyfriend allegedly set her on fire during a dispute.

Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei is in hospital with 75 percent burns after allegedly being set on fire by her former boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema.

Cheptegei recently returned to Kenya after representing Uganda at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Police confirmed the attack took place in her home in western Trans Nzoia County, where she was training. According to Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom, Ndiema purchased petrol, poured it on Cheptegei, and set her ablaze during a disagreement on Sunday.

“The boyfriend is believed to have sneaked into the compound while the wife and children were in church,” Kosiom reported. Witnesses heard the couple quarrelling before the incident, during which Ndiema was seen pouring a liquid on Cheptegei.

Both Cheptegei and Ndiema sustained serious burns and are currently receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city. The Ugandan Athletics Federation confirmed the attack on social media, expressing their regret over Cheptegei’s severe injuries.

Local reports indicate that neighbours helped extinguish the flames, and police found a five-litre jerry can, a bag, and a burned phone at the scene. Investigations revealed the couple had been arguing over land ownership before the incident. Cheptegei had purchased the land in Trans Nzoia County to build a house near several training centres in Kenya.

Last month, she finished 44th in the women’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In 2022, the 33-year-old athlete won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.