Late Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei's Body Arrives In Uganda For Burial

KAMPALA, Sept 14 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The body of Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died after allegedly being set on fire by her ex-partner in Kenya, arrived in her rural hometown in eastern Uganda on Friday afternoon, reported Xinhua quoting a district official.

The casket, draped in the Ugandan flag’s black, yellow, and red colors, was received by her grieving family, officials from Uganda’s athletics federation, and government representatives at the Suam border town between Kenya and Uganda.

Gertrude Chemitai, Bukwo district’s information officer, shared the details of the sombre event with Xinhua by telephone.

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She said Cheptegei's body was driven around Bukwo town for the local people and population to celebrate her life.

 According to reports, she was allegedly attacked by her former boyfriend in the Kenyan town of Trans Nzoia.

"The mood is very sad and grieving. The whole area is full of tears of the lost athlete," said Chemitai.

Chemitai said Cheptegei will be laid to rest on Saturday at her ancestral village in Kapsiywo, Bukwo sub-county.

"Tomorrow [Saturday] she will be taken to the district council hall for the councillors to pay last respect. Afterwards the body will be taken to Ananang playground for the funeral programme. She will then be taken to her final resting place at Kapsiywoo village for burial," said Chemitai.

Cheptegei, 33, competed in the marathon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing 44th. She is also remembered for winning gold at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA