With three weeks to the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Uganda Olympic Committee has released the final list of athletes who will represent the country at the upcoming games.
A total of 25 athletes will represent Uganda in four sports displines. The contingent will include a diverse array of talent, with 21 runners, a rower, a cyclist, and two swimmers set to take the world stage.
Uganda will field 10 male and 11 female athletes/runners of the 21 that will represent the country in various track events including 200m, 800m, 5000m, 10000m, 3000m Streplechase and marathon.
The male runners will include 2020 Tokyo Olympics double medalist Joshua Cheptegei, who will represent the country in the 5000m and 10000m races. Jacob Kiplimo, who won Bronze at the same Olympics, will also represent in the same races.
Other male runners set to represent the country are Tarsis Gracious Orogot (200m), Tom Dradriga (800m), (5000m/10000m), Oscar Chelimo (5000m), Martin Magengo Kiprotich (10000m), Leonard Chemonges (3000m Steeplechase), Victor Kiplangat (Marathon), Stephen Kissa (Marathon), and Andrew Rotich Kwemoi (Marathon).
The women runners will be led by Peruth Chemutai, who won Gold at the previous Tokyo Olympics. She will be aiming to win more medals when she represents the country in 3000m Steeplechase.
Belinda Chemutai, who is the latest addition to the athletes that will represent the country, will partake in the 5000m race.
Other female runners include Halimah Nakaayi (800m), Winnie Nanyondo (1500m), Joy Cheptoyek (5000m/10000m), Esther Chebet (5000m), Sarah Chelangat (10000m), Annet Chemengich Chelangat (10000m), Stella Chesang (Marathon), Mercyline Chelangat (Marathon) and Rebecca Cheptegei (Marathon).
In the swimming events, Gloria Muzito will represent Uganda in the 100m Freestyle, while Jesse Ssengonzi will compete in the 100m Butterfly.
The cycling discipline will be represented by Charles Kagimu, who will participate in the Men’s Road Race on August 3rd, while Kathleen Grace Noble will take on the challenge of the Single Scull Rowing event.
The 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled to take place from July 26th to August 11th, will be a crucial test for Uganda’s athletes, who will be aiming to build on their impressive performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
At the previous Games, Uganda won four medals, with Joshua Cheptegei claiming gold and silver, Peruth Chemutai winning gold, and Jacob Kiplimo earning a bronze medal.
This remarkable achievement marked Uganda’s best-ever performance at the Olympics since the country’s debut in 1956. The nation’s athletes will be aiming to surpass the previous success and bring home even more medals for the country.
