Uganda’s president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged the country’s Olympic delegation to perform well and carry the national flag high at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.
At a ceremony held at the State House in Entebbe on Tuesday, Museveni flagged off the team together with his wife Janet Kataaha Museveni, who is also the country’s Minister of Education and Sports.
“Go and perform well, but remember to exhibit discipline, sportsmanship and magnanimity,” said the president.
The Paris Olympics, which will bring together over 10,000 athletes, will take place from July 26 to August 11.
Uganda will be represented by a total of 25 athletes, with 21 for athletics, a female rower, a male cyclist, and two swimmers.
Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), told Xinhua that they are confident the country’s athletics team will win medals in Paris. “The athletes have trained well and have also tuned up well in some of the races since the beginning of the year,” said Otuchet.
All eyes will be on Uganda’s top athletes and world champions, men’s 5,000m champion Joshua Cheptegei and women’s 3,000m steeplechase gold medalist Peruth Chemutai at the Tokyo Olympics, who are looking to defend their titles in Paris.
The other athlete to look out for on the Uganda team is Jacob Kiplimo, who took bronze in the 10,000m at the Tokyo Olympics and recently won gold in the men’s senior race at the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Uganda’s Team:
Athletics: Tarsis Gracious Orogot (200m), Tom Dradriga (800m), Jacob Kiplimo (5,000m/10,000m), Joshua Cheptegei (5,000m/10,000m), Oscar Chelimo (5,000m), Martin Magengo Kiprotich (10,000m), Leonard Chemutai (3,000m Steeplechase), Victor Kiplangat, Stephen Kissa, Andrew Rotich Kwemoi (Marathon)
Halimah Nakaayi (800m), Winnie Nanyondo (1,500m), Joy Cheptoyek (5,000m/10,000m), Esther Chebet, Belinda Chemutai (5,000m), Sarah Chelangat, Annet Chemengich Chelangat (10,000m), Peruth Chemutai (3,000m Steeplechase), Stella Chesang, Mercyline Chelangat, Rebecca Cheptegei (Marathon)
Swimming: Gloria Muzito (100m Freestyle), Jesse Ssengonzi (100m Butterfly)
Cycling: Charles Kagimu (Men’s Road Race)
Rowing: Kathleen Grace Noble (Single Scull Rowing)
