By Stephen Ouma Bwire.
World champion and four world records holder Joshua Cheptegei has gone in history books as the greatest Ugandan athlete after he won gold in the men’s 5,000m and silver in the 10,000m at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games.
The Police officer becomes the most decorated Ugandan athlete since the country made a debut at the prestigious world games in 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
It was an event of mixed results as the Ugandan narrowly missed reaping gold in the hotly contested 10,000m race which compatriot Jacob Kiplimo managed to settle for bronze medal.
But earlier the successful Olympics event started with Uganda youthful Police Officer Peruth Chemutai exploded past nearly stationary and fancied Kenyan runners to win gold in the women 3000m steeplechase. Chemutai becomes the first woman ever to win a gold medal for Uganda at any Olympic event.
It was a moment to display energy, skill and strategy for the 22 – year old athlete that when the bell was sounded for the last lap, Chemutai exploded like a thunder bolt as she sprinted past United States’ Courtney Frerichs with a wider margin to the finish line.
Chemutai the second child in the family of Moses Isaya and Sophie Chesa of Bukwo district, is a determined young lady. She started serious running in 2011 and in 2013 she won silver in the 1500m and 3000m in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia, Samoa Tome.
During the 2016 Olympic Games in the Brazilian capital, Rio de Jenero at 17 years, Chemutai finished seventh and also finished fifth at the 2019 World championships in Doha, Qatar. So when she descended on Tokyo she was in high spirits ready to set a new Ugandan record.
The country, that is under a Covid – 19 pandemic partial lockdown, was set in a merriment mood with Ugandans on radio, television and social media platforms celebrating and discussing the accolades by the athletes.
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and First Lady who is also Minister for Education and Sports Hon. Janet Kataha Museveni, led local sports enthusiasts in congratulating athletes for winning medals for the country.
National Council of Sports (NCS) General Secretary Mr Patrick Ogwel said he was happy that finally history had been made which is manifestation that nothing is impossible if one worked hard with proper winning strategy.
He said:” We need more investments in sports so that we develop our vast talent to win more medals.”
Uganda Olympic Committee (UOC) President Mr Don Rukare said the accolades won by local athletes has inspired upcoming sports men and women and calls for attention in grassroots sports development.
“The medals won by our athlete has inspired our sportsmen and women and call for attention in grassroots development,” he said.
Cheptegei is the fastest man in the history of the 5,000m and 10,000m races which he set that could take a long time to break. He is the reigning 10,000m world champion and current holder of the senior world cross country men’s title.
In 2017 Cheptegei won his first global medal, a silver in the 10,000m at the World Athletics championship. He won gold medal in 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
The Inspector of Police has promised to win gold in 10,000m and 5,000m at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris ■
