Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo announced on Friday that the French capital will honor Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei by naming a sports facility after her. The decision comes in the wake of Cheptegei’s tragic death on Thursday, four days after she was set on fire by her boyfriend in Kenya.
Cheptegei, a marathon runner who competed in the recent Paris Games, became the victim of a horrific attack that has shocked the international sports community. Her death marks the third killing of a prominent female athlete in Kenya since October 2021, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence against women in sports.
Kenyan Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen expressed his condolences, describing Cheptegei’s death as a loss “to the entire region.” The incident has sparked calls for greater protection of female athletes and renewed focus on gender-based violence in sports.
Uganda’s Athletes Commission Chair, Ganzi Semu Mugula, emphasized the broader implications of this tragedy, stating, “This is a critical moment— not just to mourn the loss of a remarkable Olympian, but to commit ourselves to creating a society that respects and protects the dignity of every individual.”
The decision to name a Paris sports venue after Cheptegei serves as both a memorial to her athletic achievements and a stark reminder of the challenges faced by female athletes. It also underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing violence against women in sports.
As investigations into Cheptegei’s death continue, her legacy is set to be preserved in the French capital, where she competed in her final Olympic Games. The naming of the sports facility aims to honor her memory and inspire future generations of athletes.
