The first Nigerian to win a gold medal at the Olympics, Chioma Ajunwa, has demanded justice for Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei.
Cheptegei, who competed at the Paris Olympics in August died in Eldoret, Kenya, less than a month later after being set on fire. According to Kenyan police, Cheptegei's former boyfriend allegedly doused her in petrol and set her on fire following a dispute over a plot of land.
It brought to the fore the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Kenya as it marked the fourth instance of a female athlete being killed in the past three years. Long distance runners Agnes Tirop and Damaris Muthee Mutua, as well as sprinter Edith Muthoni and have all died over the last three years in GBV incidents.
Ajunwa who won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the women’s long jump, condemned the incident.
“I don’t know where the humanity is. I feel like something more has to be done."
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Distance runner Joan Chelimo speaks with @AmandaDCNN about gender-based violence following the death of Rebecca Cheptegei.https://t.co/ft66ROgpEL pic.twitter.com/iNaII3dpbS
‘Can’t stop thinking about her’
"It’s shocking, devastating, and deeply saddening. This is not the kind of conversation we should be having after the Paris Olympics, where Rebecca competed and performed well," Ajunwa said in an interview with SportBoom.com.
"I can't stop thinking about her, the children she left behind, and her family. It's a huge loss for them.”
Now serving in the Nigeria Police Force, Ajunwa is in a good position to suggest how Kenya should fight GBV.
“We must end this cycle. Prosecution and strict sentencing of offenders are crucial. Women, particularly those excelling in sports, are being targeted and their lives are cut short,” she said.
"The situation in Kenya, particularly for men, is concerning. People around the world may hesitate to enter relationships with them due to these incidents.”
Ajunwa said women’s athletes should be cautious when choosing a partner, as the government obviously can’t influence such decisions.
"Some individuals may be motivated by financial gain or other opportunities that come with dating an athlete. No reasonable person would harm, let alone kill, their partner.
There was no place for apathy on the issue, insisted Ajunwa.
"We can't fold our arms and watch women being murdered in their prime. These are young women doing well in the sport and working to take their families out of poverty. We want this to stop across the continent.
“As a former athlete and advocate against gender-based violence, I am deeply outraged. Justice for Rebecca Cheptegei is imperative. We must stand in solidarity with survivors and ensure their voices are heard.”