MVAW: Ugandan runner Rebecca Cheptegei allegedly set on fire by her ex is in a critical condition, a year after 2 elite athletes murdered in Kenya, a boyfriend and husband suspected in each case

[frazzled1]

https://x.com/ElizaTalks/status/1830929279598620960

Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has suffered burns to more than 75% of her body after she was allegedly set on fire by her ex boyfriend. The marathon runner, who competed in the Paris Olympics, is in critical condition. She was attacked at home.

That's awful poor Rebecca.

Oh, that's awful. There was this story on the BBC too which was portrayed as positive, about US athlete Tracy Otto - the only reason she is in the Paralympics is because she was paralysed, shot through the eye and then sexually assaulted by her ex. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/archery/articles/cp089q32yrqo

All of these stories are so distressing and show how vulnerable women and girls - all women and girls - are to horrific acts of male violence. So it makes it even more disgusting that female Olympic and Paralympic athletes have not even been able to find safety and dignity within the competitions themselves this year. I will always remember Paris as the place where male violence against women in the Olympics was condoned and approved by elite sporting bodies, and the Paralympics similarly as the scene of approved male cheating.

My thoughts with Rebecca. I hope she makes a full recovery.

'A review of all the available data from 2000 to 2018, which covers 90% of women and girls ages 15 and over in 161 countries and areas, found that 27% of partnered women have experienced intimate partner violence.'

From the article.

I honestly don't know what to say, it's just so awful to think about that I cannot convey it all. I just hope that Rebecca isn't suffering too much and that the ex is imprisoned for a long, long time.

The X post says 75% burns. That means she is unlikely to recover, I think. Dear God, I hope the boyfriend ends up in a horrible Ugandan prison forever and then goes to Hell.

From what I understand about high % burns, I think you are correct and that survival is not the most likely outcome. This may be a very good thing of course. The dead don't suffer.

This is pure evil. That poor woman.

You may be correct about burns and the likelihood and benefit of survival.

Heartbreaking.

Here, though. A story with a positive outcome:

https://orato.world/2024/03/22/women-who-endured-burns-over-75-percent-of-her-body-becomes-a-doctor-spurs-support-for-victims/

It's been announced that Rebecca has died.

So sad. And what a horrific way to die.

Oh no. That's so sad. RIP Rebecca

Dreadful. What a great athlete she was.

Oh that's so sad. I'm so sorry for Rebecca and her family. Another day and yet another horrific story about MVAW.

'Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei has died in a Kenyan hospital after being doused in petrol and set fire by her former boyfriend.

Owen Menach, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret City, where she received treatment after sustaining 80% burns on her body, confirmed her death on Thursday.

The 33-year-old's boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, bought a container of petrol, poured it on her and set her ablaze during a disagreement at her house on Sunday, Trans Nzoia County Police said.

The Ugandan Athletics Federation paid tribute to Cheptegei on X: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence.

"As a federation, we condemn such acts and call for justice. May her soul rest In Peace."'

https://www.itv.com/news/2024-09-05/olympic-athlete-rebecca-cheptegei-dies-after-being-set-on-fire-by-ex-boyfriend

RIP Rebecca

This is so awful. RIP, Rebecca.

I don't know what to say about this, it's just so awful I can hardly process it

😓 rest in peace. I hope there is no peace for the man who did this to her.

RIP Rebecca 😔.

I concur with @MassiveWordSalad .

That is so sad. RIP Rebecca.

And it's making me so angry. I agree with @MassiveWordSalad too, but there is not enough condemnation and action against this MVAW. The BBC report on her death is currently written to almost make it sound like her ex had a legitimate reason for what he did.

I heard this story this morning. It made me so sad. That poor woman and her family.
I hope her ‘fame’ can at least attract enough attention for something to be done about her murderer. ☹️

You're right of course, @Chaotica

There needs to be a huge societal shift in consciousness about this, and it needs to come from men to really take root.

Doctor. Politician. Olympian. Professor. Politician.
Put 'woman' in front of any of those, and you're reminded that relative social privilege - being educated, high-earning, high-achieving, rich, famous - is nothing in the face of MVAWG. That's something we all have in common.
RIP Rebecca Cheptegei.