Dickson Ndiema, the ex-boyfriend of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, has died in a hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.
Ndiema was admitted with severe burns following an incident in which he allegedly set Cheptegei on fire, leading to her death on September 5, 2024. It was confirmed that he died on Monday night while in ICU.
The former couple’s altercation reportedly escalated from a land dispute, resulting in the tragic attack that claimed the life of the long-distance runner. Both sustained significant injuries, with Ndiema passing away due to his burns while receiving medical treatment.
Cheptegei, a celebrated Ugandan athlete, had a distinguished career that spanned over 15 years. She won the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2022 and competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her death sent shockwaves through the global athletics community, sparking widespread calls for action against domestic violence.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe had earlier expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it a tragedy for the sport and underscoring the need to enhance safeguarding policies for athletes.
“Our sport has lost a talented athlete in the most tragic and unthinkable circumstances,” Coe stated.
The incident has cast a spotlight on the urgent need to address domestic violence, with Cheptegei’s death being a grim reminder of the dangers faced by women in abusive relationships.
Various sports bodies and government officials have voiced their commitment to creating safer environments for athletes both on and off the field.
As the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths continues, the athletics world mourns the loss of a gifted athlete whose promising career was cut short by violence.
