Oscar Chelimo and four other athletes will be in action for team Uganda at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris, France on Wednesday.
Chelimo will represent the Pearl of Africa in the men’s 5000m and unlike other Ugandans, he is not broken following the withdrawal of his compatriots Joshua Cheptegei and brother Jacob Kiplimo.
“It is true that I will be running alone because my colleagues have pulled out due to fatigue and I fully understand what they are going through,” Chelimo said in an interview with the media.
“In athletics, it is the athletes to decide because it is them that run and if they tell you that they are tired then that is the truth.”
“But Ugandans should not lose hope because I am well prepared and I will give it my all in the semifinals because it is the most important thing right now and hopefully I qualify for the final,” he added.
The 22-year-old won a 5000m bronze medal in the 2022 World Championships in Eugene and will be on the running track at 12:10pm
His compatriots Tom Dradriga, Winnie Nanyondo, Tarsis Gracious Orogot, and Leonard Chemutai will also be on the field on Wednesday.
After Chelimo’s race, Dradriga will enter the fray at this year’s Olympics 30 minutes later at 12:45pm in the men’s 800m Round 1.
Following her 10th place finish in the women’s 800m Round 1 on Tuesday, Winnie Nanyondo will try again for a spot in the semifinals via the repechage at 1:45pm.
Meanwhile, USA-based Ugandan sprinter, Tarsis Gracious Orogot will be aim at reaching the final of the men’s 200m at 9:02pm.
He qualified after winning Heat 1 of Round 1 on Monday, posting a time of 20.32 seconds.
The day will climax with the men’s 3000m steeplechase final at 10:43pm with Leonard Chemutai involved.
This is after his impressive performance in Heat 1 of Round 1, finishing second with a time of 8:18.19.
