His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has revealed the secret behind Joshua Cheptegei’s success.
Museveni singled out high-altitude environments as key in an exclusive interview with CCTV’s Wang Guan on the Leaders Talk.
“We are taking advantage of the higher attitude and this is partly biology,” Museveni noted.
“Some of those people who are doing good running are born in mountain areas. If you are born in a mountainous area, up the oxygen is less.”
“There is more oxygen at sea level than in the mountains. So their lungs from childhood learn how to use little oxygen,” the fountain of honour added.
Uganda managed two medals at the just concluded Olympic Games in Paris, France with Cheptegei bagging gold in the men’s 10,000m whilst Peruth Chemutai settled for silver in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
“Our athletes are majorly from highland areas and have got more efficient lungs to run those long distances.”
“We have also built a high altitude training center in that area where Cheptegei comes from. It is about 2000m above sea level,” Museveni stated.
With two medals, Uganda finished seventh in Africa with neighbours Kenya finishing first on the continent with 11 medals, four golds, two silvers, and five bronzes.
USA were the best country in the world with 126 medals overall, 40 were gold, 44 silver, and 42 bronze.
