Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in a critical condition in a Kenyan hospital, after she was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.
The 33-year-old athlete, who competed at the recent Paris Olympics, suffered burns over 75% of her body, police said.
He was attacked in his home in western Kenya, where he had been training.
There is concern over the increasing number of cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some resulting in death.
Mrs. Cheptegei is said to have been rescued by neighbors after the incident that happened on Sunday at her home in the small town of Endebess.
She was returning from church with her two children when she was attacked.
The suspected attacker also suffered severe burns, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told reporters.
The two were treated at the Moi Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the main town in the region.
“Couples are heard arguing outside their home. During the argument, the boyfriend was seen pouring liquid on the woman before setting her on fire,” Mr. Kosiom was quoted as saying.
Ms Cheptegei, who hails from a region across the border in Uganda, is said to have bought a plot of land in Trans Nzoia region and is building a house, which will be close to many athletic training centers in Kenya.
The report filed by the local manager said that the two were arguing over this piece of land. Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Ms Cheptegei finished 44th in the running race at the recent Paris Olympics.
He also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championship in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.
In April 2022, another female runner, Damaris Mutua, he was found strangled in a house with a pillow over his face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
It came months after long distance record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop He was found stabbed to death in the same city.
In both of these incidents, their partners were identified by the authorities as the main suspects.
Ms. Tirop’s husband is currently facing murder charges, but he denies it, and he continues to search for Ms. Mutua’s boyfriend.
Men are also being watched.
Last December, another Ugandan athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat he was stabbed to death by the attackers in Eldoret.
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