The city of Paris will pay tribute to Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei by naming a sports facility in her honour, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Friday.
The marathon runner, who competed in the recent Paris Olympic Games, tragically died after being set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya. Cheptegei passed away on Thursday, four days after the horrific attack, which left her with burns covering more than 75% of her body.
Cheptegei, 33, had finished 44th in her Olympic debut. Paris Mayor Hidalgo praised her beauty, strength, and freedom, qualities she believes made her a target of the brutal act. “Paris will not forget her. We will dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory remains among us, promoting the message of equality and the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Hidalgo stated.
Cheptegei is the third high-profile female athlete killed in Kenya since 2021. Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen mourned the loss, calling it a tragedy for the region, while Uganda’s Athletes Commission Chair, Ganzi Semu Mugula, urged society to reflect on the importance of protecting individual dignity.
