Thousands attend funeral of runner Rebecca Cheptegei who was set on fire by partner

Mourners in Uganda pay respects to Olympic athlete whose death prompted renewed calls for more protection for women in sport

Thousands of mourners in Uganda paid their respects on Saturday to Rebecca Cheptegei, the Olympic athlete who died last week in Kenya after her partner set her on fire. The military funeral took place in a remote town near the Kenyan border.

Military officers played a prominent role in the funeral because Cheptegei held the rank of sergeant in Uganda's army, said military spokesperson Brig Felix Kulayigye, adding that she deserved a gun salute that befits her rank".