Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after she was allegedly doused with petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.
The 33-year-old marathon runner, who recently competed in the Paris Olympics, suffered extensive burns, doctors treating her said.
She was attacked at her home in western Kenya, where she was training.
There are concerns over rising cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have resulted in deaths.
Ms Cheptegei was allegedly rescued by neighbors following the incident at her home in the small town of Ndebes on Sunday.
She was returning from church with her two children when she was targeted.
The attacker also suffered severe burns, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told reporters.
“The couple were heard arguing outside the house. During the argument, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman and then burning her,” Mr Cosim said.
Ms Cheptegei, who hails from the border region of Uganda, is said to have bought land and built a house in Tran Nzoa County, close to Kenya’s many sports training centres.
A report filed by local administrators said the pair had been fighting for the land. Police said the investigation is ongoing.
The two are being treated at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in the region’s main town of Eldoret.
Dr. Irving Benach, the hospital’s senior director of clinical services, told reporters that “one known patient” was fully sedated due to the severity of his burns. He said the hospital was well-equipped to cope with the plight of the two patients.
Ms. Cheptegei’s father, Joseph Cheptegei, told reporters that he prayed for “justice for my daughter.”
Ms. Cheptegei finished 44th in the recent Paris Olympic marathon.
She also won a gold medal at the 2022 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
In April 2022, another female runner, Damaris Mutua, Found strangled to death Her face is covered with a pillow in a house in the Rift Valley town of Iten.
A few months ago, long-distance runner Agnes Tirop broke the record Found stabbed to death In the same town.
In both cases, their partners were identified by authorities as the prime suspects.
Ms Tirop’s husband now faces murder charges, which he denies, while the search for Ms Mutua’s boyfriend continues.
Men are also targeted.
In December last year, another Ugandan athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat stabbed to death Raiders of Eldoret.
Additional reporting by BBC’s Celestine Karoney.
