Paris to Honor Late Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei with Sports venue dedication
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that a sports venue in the French capital will be named after Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died after her ex-boyfriend allegedly set her on fire.
The 33-year-old athlete and mother passed away on Thursday due to severe burns inflicted during the attack outside her home in north-western Kenya.
Cheptegei, who competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, finished 44th with a time of two hours, 32 minutes, and 14 seconds.
Mayor Hidalgo praised Cheptegei’s remarkable presence during the Games, stating, “Rebecca dazzled us at the Olympics. Paris will not forget her.”
She highlighted Cheptegei’s strength and freedom, qualities that may have provoked the violence against her.
“We will dedicate a sports venue to her so that her memory and story remain with us, spreading the message of equality, which the Olympic and Paralympic Games champion,” Hidalgo said.
The devastating attack has sparked calls for justice and action, particularly within the athletic community. Fellow Ugandan runner Joan Chelimo, who shared time with Cheptegei during the Paris Olympics, expressed deep sorrow and emphasized the need for women to unite in response to such violence.
“Rebecca was a hardworking mother and a role model for many young girls,” Chelimo said during an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour. “We hope that those responsible will be held accountable for their actions.”
Cheptegei’s death has sent shockwaves through both the sports world and beyond, as the push for justice continues and her legacy is honored in Paris.
Source: bbc.com
