Sports Reporter
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has announced that a sports venue in the French capital will be named after Ugandan Olympic runner Rebecca Cheptegei, who tragically died after her ex-boyfriend allegedly set her on fire.
“Her memory and her story will remain with us,” Hidalgo said, praising Cheptegei’s beauty, strength, and freedom, which were likely intolerable to her murderer.
Fellow athlete Joan Chelimo remembered Cheptegei from the Paris Olympics, saying, “She was a mother and the breadwinner of her family, inspiring many young girls… We hope this serves as a wake-up call for us to come together.”
Cheptegei’s death has sparked outrage and calls for action against violence against women, which remains a significant issue in Kenya.
“We need to unite and fight for our rights,” Chelimo urged, noting that some men may feel “intimidated” by successful female athletes who are becoming financially independent and raising their voices.
The dedication of the sports venue will ensure that Cheptegei’s legacy lives on, inspiring future generations of athletes and women. As Hidalgo said,
“Paris will not forget her.”
Zim GBC News©2024