2024 Paris Olympics runner in critical condition after being set on fire by partner

A distance runner from Uganda who participated at the 2024 Paris Olympics is in critical condition after her partner set her on fire in Kenya weeks after the competition, police said.

Citing a police report, multiple outlets like PEOPLE Magazine, Associated Press, and BBC reported that Rebecca Cheptegei suffered 75% burns on her body as her boyfriend, Dickson Ndiema, doused her in gasoline and set her on fire at her home in Kenya on Sept. 1.

The attack happened during a dispute between Cheptegei and Ndiema.

AP said the couple argued about the land their home was built on.

“The couple were heard quarreling outside their house,” BBC quoted Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom as saying. “During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her.”

Kosiom told the local outlet The Standard that Ndiema snuck into the compound at around 2 p.m. while Rebecca and their children were at Church.

"Upon returning, Dickson, who had procured petrol, began pouring it on Rebecca before he set her ablaze," the commander said.

Ndiema also sustained serious burns in the fire.

The couple was put out by neighbors before being transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in the nearby city of Eldoret for specialized treatment.

Items like a "five-liter jerrican" owned by Ndiema and "a burned mobile phone" believed to be Rebecca's were collected for forensic analysis.

Cheptegei placed 44th at the 2024 Paris Olympics held from July 26 to Aug. 11.

A Uganda resident, she purchased land in Trans Nzoia County to train for the biennial meet.