A Ugandan athlete living in Kenya was attacked and set on fire by her boyfriend and is receiving treatment for burns on 75% of her body, police said.

Rebecca Cheptegei, a distance runner who finished at the 44th position in the 2024 Paris Olympics, was attacked in her house in the western Trans Nzoia County.

Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom said Monday that Cheptegei’s boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a jerrican of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement Sunday. Ndiema also sustained burn wounds, and the two are receiving specialized treatment at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret city.

Cheptegei’s parents said their daughter bought land in Trans Nzoia to be near the county’s many athletic training centers.

  • werefreeatlast@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    It’s a very long story the details are too pii, but basically my bro got most of his skin with 3rd degree burns and he was in the hospital for about a year. He died a few times. Do you know anyone who has died a few times? When we got him back, he was different. Always easily irritated and angry. He grew up like that, today he controls it a little better but he can’t stand others so he’s single. I think it’s the incredible amount of steroids he was given to promote cell growth and for other pii reasons.

    • filister@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Oh man, that’s rough. I feel sorry about your brother. No human being deserves to go through so much pain and suffering. I hope he can at least appreciate some stuff in life and enjoy it every now and then. And I can imagine how hard it is to you and your family. I wish you all the best!

      • werefreeatlast@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        Thanks. But yeah, that’s the thing, lot’s of people have survived to tell about it. There’s no loosing hope until the last breath. And like I mentioned, the guy is fine today. Just some chest scars and such but otherwise all that is in the past.