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Ugandan athletes are poised to excel in track events at the Paris 2024 Olympics targeting medals in multiple disciplines.
Paris successfully hosted its first Olympics ceremony in a century on Friday, July 26 marking a celebratory beginning to the world’s grandest sports competition.
Amidst the buzz of the 2024 Paris Olympics the focus sharpens on the potential medalists from Uganda in various track events.
The country has shown immense prowess in long and middle-distance races with several athletes poised to leave their mark.
Joshua Cheptegei: 5000m & 10000m Men
Joshua Cheptegei enters the Paris 2024 Olympics with a fiery determination to claim the gold medal that eluded him at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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In the 5000m event, Cheptegei holds a personal best time of 12:35.36, a world record he set in 2020 and participation in the 10000m is equally promising marked by a personal best of 26:11.00.
Cheptegei will face stiff competition from competitors like Norway's Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Ethiopia's Selemon Barega.
The 5000m race, particularly, promises to be a strategic battle where Cheptegei’s experience and endurance will be his greatest assets.
Jacob Kiplimo: 10000m Men
Another stellar Ugandan athlete Jacob Kiplimo is set to compete in the 10000m alongside Cheptegei.
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With a personal best of 26:33.93 Kiplimo brings youthful energy and a remarkable track record of performance on the international stage.
Kiplimo will have to outpace athletes like Kenya’s Daniel Mateiko and Uganda’s own Joshua Cheptegei adding an intriguing layer of intra-country rivalry that could push all competitors to their limits.
Peruth Chemutai: 3000m steeplechase women
Peruth Chemutai enters the Paris 2024 Olympics as a beacon of hope for Uganda in the women's 3000m steeplechase.
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As the reigning Olympic champion from Tokyo 2020 where she clocked a 9:01.45 Chemutai has demonstrated her capability to dominate on the grandest stages.
Chemutai’s main competition comes from athletes like Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech and Bahrain's Winfred Mutile Yavi who have consistently performed at the top of this discipline.
The steeplechase requires not only speed and stamina but also technical precision making it one of the most challenging and unpredictable track events.
Halimah Nakaayi: 800m women
Halimah Nakaayi carries the hopes of Uganda in a highly competitive field. Her personal best of 1:57.026 showcases her ability to compete at the highest levels.
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The Paris Olympics could be her moment to shine, building on her previous international experiences.
Nakaayi will face a tough roster of athletes, including Kenya's Mary Moraa and Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson.
Nakaayi's tactical approach to the race focusing on pacing and the final sprint, will be key to her podium aspirations.
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