The late Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei will be honored in the French capital as Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo announced the naming of a sports facility in her honor. The Ugandan marathon runner tragically passed away after being a victim of a heinous attack, which resulted in severe burns to over 80% of her body. Cheptegei had recently competed in the Paris Games, marking her Olympic debut and finishing in 44th place.
“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 which were intolerable for the person who committed this murder,” Hidalgo said.
“Paris will not forget her. We’ll dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory and her story remains among us and helps carry the message of equality, which is a message carried by the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Starting her running career at the age of 19, Cheptegei first represented Uganda in an under-20 race at the 2010 World Cross Country Championships before transitioning to longer road races and eventually making her marathon debut in 2021. She achieved a personal best time of two hours, 22 minutes, and 47 seconds, establishing herself as the second-fastest Ugandan woman of all time. Notably, Cheptegei was able to provide for her family through her running earnings.
This tragic event has brought attention to the ongoing issue of attacks targeting women in Kenya, with the attack on Cheptegei reflecting a broader pattern of gender-based violence. According to a national survey, at least 34% of women in Kenya reported experiencing physical violence in 2022, highlighting the urgent need to address this pressing concern.
The loss of Rebecca Cheptegei has reverberated not only in the sports world but also across the region, prompting reflection and calls for action to combat violence against women and honor Cheptegei’s legacy.
World of sports 
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