France to name sports centre after Ugandan Olympian, Cheptegei

The city of Paris will pay tribute to Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically lost her life after a brutal attack in Kenya.

Paris Mayor, Anne Hidalgo announced plans to name a sports venue in Cheptegei’s honour, ensuring her memory endures and symbolising the message of equality promoted by the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Times of India reported.

Cheptegei, who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics, was killed after being set on fire by her partner, leaving the world in shock.

Police said a man identified as Dickson Ndiema Marangach had doused Cheptegei with petrol and set her alight at her home in Endebess in the western county of Trans-Nzoia.

PUNCH Online reported that Ugandan athletics officials confirmed Cheptegei’s death four days after being set on fire.

“Paris will not forget her. We’ll dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory and her story remain among us and help carry the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Hidalgo added.

“She dazzled us here in Paris. We saw her. Her beauty, her strength, her freedom, and it was in all likelihood her beauty, strength, and freedom that were intolerable for the person who committed this murder,” Hidalgo told reporters.

Cheptegei, 33, made her Olympic debut in the women’s marathon at the Paris Games, where she finished 44th.

Police and doctors say she was left with 80 per cent burns after being attacked in front of her children on Sunday by her Kenyan partner, Dickson Ndiema Marangach.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]