Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei has died after allegedly being doused in petrol and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend.

Cheptegei, 33, had competed in last month's Paris Olympics - and following the news of the attack on Tuesday, the head of the Ugandan Olympic committee confirmed her death today.

In a social media statement on Thursday morning, Donald Rukare, the president of Uganda Olympics Committee wrote: "We have learnt of the sad passing on of our Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei... following a vicious attack by her boyfriend."

The president of Uganda's Olympic committee paid tribute to the tragic marathon star{ai:summary}<p>Ugandan Olympic marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, has died after an incident where she was allegedly set on fire by her ex-boyfriend. The Ugandan Olympic Committee confirmed her death following the attack reported earlier this week.</p><p>The head of the committee expressed condolences over the loss of Cheptegei, who had recently competed in the Paris Olympics. #society</p>

Olympic marathon runner dies after being 'set on fire' by ex-boyfriend in petrol attack

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