Ugandan sprinter Tarsis Orogot has advanced to the semifinals of the Men’s 200m at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris France.
The USA-based Ugandan athlete reached this stage by winning Heat 1 of Round 1 at the Stade de France on Monday night.
It started as a tight race, but Orogot got the better of his fellow sprinters in the final stages, posting a time of 20.32 seconds.
Wanya McCoy of the Bahamas and Brazilian Renan Correa finished second and third with a time of 20.35 and 20.41 seconds, respectively.
McCoy and Correa’s performances earned them slots in the semifinals as well given that the top three sprinters from each Heat advanced.
The 22-year-old is the first Ugandan sprinter to participate in the Olympics since Davis Kamoga in 1996 in Atalanta.
Kamoga grabbed a bronze medal in men’s 400m and 28 years later, Orogot will be hoping to go all the way and also write his name in the history books.
Meanwhile, Orogot’s compatriot Leonard Chemutai advanced to the final of the men’s 3000m steeplechase after finishing second in Heat 1 of Round 1 with 8:18.19.
The final will take place on Wednesday, August 7 and on the same day, Orogot will be vying for a spot in the final.
Brothers Jacob Kiplimo and Oscar Chelimo will also be in action on Wednesday in the men’s 5000m final, with defending champion Joshua Cheptegei reportedly having pulled out.
On Tuesday, Peruth Chemutai will be in the final of the women’s 3000m steeplechase, hoping to defend her crown.
