Uganda Eyes Another Impressive Show at Paris Olympics

Uganda is gearing up for the Paris Olympics with high expectations, building on its impressive performance at the 2020 Tokyo Games. The country’s contingent of 24 confirmed athletes, including medalists Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, Victor Kiplangat, and Peruth Chemutai, is ready to make its mark in the French capital.

Three years ago, during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were heavily affected by COVID-19, the Ugandan team recorded the country’s best-ever performance at the Summer Games, winning two gold medals, one silver medal, and one bronze medal.

Uganda had never won four medals at the world’s greatest games before. It was also the first time the country finished 36th in the medal standings, surpassing India, South Africa, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria.

The team’s strong squad includes Jacob Kiplimo and world record holder Joshua Cheptegei, who will compete in his final Olympics on the track. Victor Kiplangat, fresh from his Commonwealth Games marathon victory, and defending 3,000m gold champion Peruth Chemutai will complete the quartet.

Notably, Uganda will not have a participant in boxing, a sport that earned the country Olympic glory in the 1960s and 1970s. However, the squad will include swimmers, cyclists, and rowers, with wild card places handed to Kirabo Namutebi and Gloria Muzito (swimming), Charles Kagimu (cycling), and Kathlene Noble (rowing).

Moving on, Cheptegei heads into Paris, knowing that this will in all likelihood be his final Olympics on the track. As the 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder, he will be in the spotlight. He will start as one of the favourites for the podium.

Also, Kiplangat is set to compete in his debut Olympics after winning the marathon at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, while Chemutai is the reigning 3,000m gold medalist.

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Uganda will have two swimming wild card slots, one for a man and one for a woman. Kirabo Namutebi and Gloria Muzito are currently competing for the female slot in Tokyo 2020, while Chicago-based Jesse Ssengozi and Budapest-based Tendo Mukalazi, Namutebi’s sibling, are vying for the male spot.