A sports venue in Paris is set to be named after Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically passed away after being set on fire by her ex-boyfriend, according to an announcement by the mayor of Paris.
The 33-year-old mother succumbed to severe burns on Thursday, after her former partner allegedly doused her with petrol and set her alight outside her home in north-western Kenya on Sunday.
Authorities in western Kenya have confirmed to the BBC that Cheptegei’s death is being treated as murder, with an ongoing investigation.
Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo explained that dedicating a sports venue in Cheptegei’s honor will ensure that ‘her memory and her story remain with us.’
Cheptegei competed in the Olympic marathon in Paris, finishing 44th with a time of two hours, 32 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Mayor Hidalgo praised the runner, stating that she ‘dazzled us’ during the Olympic Games in Paris, and added, ‘Paris will not forget her.’
‘We saw her beauty, strength, and freedom, qualities which likely made her intolerable to the person who committed this heinous act,’ Hidalgo said.
‘By naming a sports venue after her, we ensure that her memory and story stay alive, and continue to promote the message of equality, a key value of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.’
Joan Chelimo, a fellow athlete and friend of Cheptegei, called for unity among women in the wake of the incident.
‘I knew Rebecca personally; we were together at the Paris Olympics.
She was a dedicated mother and worked hard to qualify for the Olympics,’ Chelimo shared on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. ‘She was the primary breadwinner for her family, and many young girls looked up to her.’
Chelimo expressed hope that those responsible for this crime would be held accountable. She also noted that at just 19 years old, Cheptegei first represented Uganda in an under-20 race at the 2010 World Cross Country Championships.
She later transitioned to longer road races, debuting in marathons in 2021. With a personal best of two hours, 22 minutes, and 47 seconds set the following year, Cheptegei became the second-fastest Ugandan woman of all time. Her running career allowed her to support her family.
Chelimo suggested that some men might feel ‘intimidated’ by female athletes who are breaking away from traditional norms and becoming more financially independent.
‘Their ex-partners may struggle to accept that women are raising their voices and becoming self-sufficient,’ she said.
A report from a local administrator indicated that the athlete and her ex-partner had been involved in a dispute over a piece of land.
Violence against women remains a significant concern in Kenya, where at least 34% of women reported experiencing physical violence in 2022, according to a national survey.
‘More needs to be done,’ Chelimo emphasized. ‘This is another wake-up call for us to unite and take action.’
