With exactly 3 weeks until the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics, Uganda will be sending a team of 24 athletes, including two talented swimmers who are poised to make history for the country.
In an interview on the Sport This Evening program, on Thursday evening, Gloria Muzito and Jesse Ssengonzi, the swimmers who are set to represent the country at the upcoming tournament, expressed their readiness and excitement to represent.
Gloria Muzito shared her eagerness saying, “When I got the news that I was going to represent the country, it felt unreal. The emotions came in, and I felt so happy. This is something I’ve been dreaming of since I was little. It’s a dream come true.”
The swimmer, who won a bronze medal for Uganda at the 2023 African Games in the 100m freestyle, setting a national record, added that the previous medals she’s won have given her a significant boost of confidence as she prepares for the Olympics.
“The medals definitely give me confidence, showing me that I’m on the right path. So I’m just going to continue working hard and hope for the best,” she added.
Jesse Ssengonzi, the other swimmer on the Ugandan team, expressed similar sentiments, saying that he was excited after qualifying for the Olympics.
“When I got to know, I was super excited as well. I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work, and it is a great opportunity to represent my country Uganda. I was both honored and excited,” he said.
Ssengonzi has been focusing on long-course races and making technical adjustments to his swimming techniques, which he believes will serve him well at the Olympics.
“My goal is to execute all my race plans and try to lead by example,” he stated confidently.
Donald Rukare, the Chairperson of the National Council of Sports of Uganda and the President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, and Tony Kasujja, the coach of the Olympic swimming team, shared their insights into the swimmers’ preparations and the growth of the sport in Uganda during the show.
Donald Rukare confirmed that Gloria Muzito and Jesse Ssengonzi will be joining a team of 22 other athletes to represent the country at the Paris Olympics, starting on July 24th.
“We have currently 20 athletes in Athletics, 1 rower, 1 cyclist, and 2 swimmers who are Gloria Muzito and Jesse Ssengonzi, to make a team of 24,” Rukare revealed.
The athletes are currently in the final stages of their preparations, with some training in Uganda and others training outside the country.
Rukare expressed his pride in the progress Uganda has made in sports, particularly in swimming.
“When I look back to the old times when I was swimming and now where Jesse and Gloria are representing us at the Olympics, there’s no doubt that sport in Uganda has tremendously moved forward,” he said.
“The number of sports disciplines that have qualified for the Olympics have increased. Now we have rowing and rugby. So when we see the trajectory of sport overall, we have come a long way and things are improving.” The Uganda Olympic Committee president added.
Rukare also emphasised the need for more facilities, coaches, and athletes to qualify for the Olympics, but he acknowledged the significant strides Uganda has made in recent years.
Coach Tony Kasujja, who also serves as the Dolphins swimming club coach, expressed his optimism about the swimmers’ prospects.
“I think the way swimming has grown, the sport is developing very well. It means that we’re on the right path,” he said.
“The swimmers are performing at a higher rate. So the sport of swimming is growing, and I hope we can be able to make it to the podium in the near future.”
Kasujja also recognized the Olympics as the pinnacle of sports, where athletes train hard to compete at the best games in the world.
The 2024 Olympics, where over 10,500 athletes across the world are expected to compete, will take place between Friday, Jul 26th and Sunday, August 11th in Paris, France.
