Olympic runner in critical condition after she’s allegedly set on fire by her boyfriend

This incident has raised concerns about the growing violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have resulted in fatalities.

The assault on Cheptegei comes two years after the death of Kenyan-born athlete Damaris Mutua, who was found dead in Iten, a renowned running hub in Kenya’s Rift Valley, per CBS News.

Mutua’s death followed the murder of 25-year-old record-breaking runner Agnes Tirop, who was discovered stabbed to death in her home in Iten in 2021.

Tirop’s estranged husband, Emmanuel Ibrahim Rotich, is currently on trial for her murder, charges which he denies.