Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei is in a critical condition in a Kenyan hospital after allegedly being doused with petrol and set on fire by a former boyfriend.

The 33-year-old marathon runner, who competed at the recent Paris Olympics, has suffered extensive burns, according to the doctor treating her.

There are concerns about the increasing cases of violence against female athletes in Kenya, some of which have resulted in death.

Ms.

Cheptegei was reportedly rescued by neighbors after the incident that occurred on Sunday at her home in the small town of Endebess.

The alleged attacker also sustained serious burns, local police chief Jeremiah ole Kosiom told journalists.

'The couple were heard quarreling outside their house.

During the altercation, the boyfriend was seen pouring a liquid on the woman before burning her,' Mr.

Kosiom was quoted as saying.

Ms.

Cheptegei, from a region just across the border in Uganda, is said to have bought a piece of land in Trans Nzoia county and built a house to be near Kenya's many athletic training centers.

A report filed by a local administrator said the two had been wrangling over the piece of land.

Police say an investigation is underway.

The two are being treated at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the main town in the region.

The hospital's senior director of clinical services, Dr.

Owen Benach, told journalists that 'a high-profile patient' had been 'fully sedated because of the extent of the burns.

' He said the hospital was well-equipped to deal with the difficult situation that both patients were in.

Speaking to reporters, Ms.

Cheptegei's father, Joseph Cheptegei, said that he prayed 'for justice for my daughter.

' She also won gold at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2022.

In April 2022, another female runner, Damaris Mutua, was found dead in a home with a pillow over her face in the Rift Valley town of Iten.

Ms.

Tirop's husband is currently facing murder charges, which he denies, while a search for Ms.

Mutua's boyfriend continues.

Thousands of people attended the emotional event in Bukwo to celebrate the life of Rebecca Cheptegei.