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Global sporting glory isn’t something Ugandans are accustomed to but if you care to ask, many of them will tell you about their expectations for a medal or two at this year’s summer Olympics in Paris starting on 26th July, 2024.
With the boldness to point out which races will bring them glory.
This is because one man has made them believe, Joshua Cheptegei who leads a team of 25 athletes to France.
Even though he’s a double world record holder for the 5,000m and 10,000m distances, Cheptegei’s shoulders don’t have to carry his nation’s glory hopes alone.
With the man who finished behind him to win a 10,000 bronze at last olympics Jacob Kiplimo and women’s 3000m steeplechase Olympic champion Peruth Chemutai who has battled injuries since then but now looks set to defend her title.
This trio delivered Uganda’s biggest success at the Olympics with four medals from Tokyo 2020, Cheptegei’s gold in the 5,000m being the 4th.
They will be joined by last year’s world marathon champion Victor Kiplangat, the 24 year old is highly expected to announce his name on the Olympics stage.
Another prospect is the sole sprinter on the team, Tarsis Orogot who has posted commendable times in the diamond league.
Uganda has only won 11 medals at the Olympics, 4 of which have come from boxing which until Tokyo 2020 was the country’s most successful sport at the global showpiece.
Unfortunately Uganda will not be represented by any boxer in Paris, only the 3rd time this is happening.
All it’s candidates failed to make it through the tight qualifications, a big let down considering Uganda had 3 boxers at the previous Olympics.
Team Uganda will however have two swimmers, Gloria Muzito and Jesse Ssengonzi, Charles Kagimu who’s a cyclist competing in the men’s road race and Kathleen Grace Noble in the Single Scull Rowing.
Full list of Athletes
Athletics:
Men:
1. Tarsis Gracious Orogot – 200m
2. Tom Dradriga – 800m
3. Jacob Kiplimo – 5000m/10000m
4. Joshua Cheptegei – 5000m/10000m
5. Oscar Chelimo – 5000m
6. Martin Magengo Kiprotich – 10000m
7. Leonard Chemutai – 3000m Steeplechase
8. Victor Kiplangat – Marathon
9. Stephen Kissa – Marathon
10. Andrew Rotich Kwemoi – Marathon
Women:
1. Halimah Nakaayi – 800m
2. Winnie Nanyondo – 1500m
3. Joy Cheptoyek – 5000m/10000m
4. Esther Chebet – 5000m
5. Belinda Chemutai – 5000m
6. Sarah Chelangat – 10000m
7. Annet Chemengich Chelangat – 10000m
8. Peruth Chemutai – 3000m Steeplechase
9. Stella Chesang – Marathon
10. Mercyline Chelangat – Marathon
11. Rebecca Cheptegei – Marathon
Swimming:
– Gloria Muzito – 100m Freestyle
– Jesse Ssengonzi – 100m Butterfly
Cycling:
– Charles Kagimu (Men’s Road Race)
Rowing:
– Kathleen Grace Noble (Single Scull Rowing)
Competition Schedule:
– Cyclist Charles Kagimu will compete on 3 August 2024.
– Rower Kathleen Noble competes from 27 July to 3 August 2024.
-Swimmer Gloria Muzito (100m Freestyle) competes on 30 July 2024 (heats and semifinals) and 31 July 2024 (final).
– Swimmer Jesse Ssengonzi: (100m Butterfly) competes from 2 August to 3 August 2024.
– Athletics program starts on 2 August with the women’s 800m Round 1 and the men’s 10,000m final. (A full schedule is provided.)
