President Museveni Flags Off Ugandan Olympics Contigent

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has flagged off the Ugandan contingent for the 2024 Olympics.

The sportsmen, women, and administrators were flagged off during a lavish event at State House on Tuesday afternoon. This year’s summer Olympic games start on July 26th in Paris, France.

The President, who was flanked by First Lady Janet Museveni, asked the athletes to exhibit discipline. The First Lady, who doubles as Minister of Education and Sports, also preached sportsmanship and magnanimity to Uganda’s representatives.

The Paris games will be the 17th Olympic games Uganda participates in. Uganda will compete in four disciplines. These include rowing, swimming, and cycling. Similarly, Uganda will field athletes where we are favorites in the 5,000m and 10,000m races with Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.

Ugandan athletes heading to Olympics

Joshua Cheptegei has an extra load on his back as he’s tasked with leadership duties.The 10,000m and 5,000m world record holder has been appointed captain of Team Uganda for the Paris 2024 Olympics. He will lead Uganda’s contingent as they aim for success at the most prestigious global event in the world.Other Ugandan athletes include Dradiga Tom and Halima Nakayi who will compete in the 800m races. In the 3000m steeplechase, Perth Chemutai and Leonard Chemutai will look to fly the Ugandan flag. Similarly, Martin Magengo, Sarah Chelengat, and Annet Chemengit Chelengat will run the dreaded 10,000m.

In the 5000m race, Oscar Chelimo, Chebet Esther, and Belinda Chemutai join Cheptegei and Kiplimo in Paris. Veteran Winnie Nanyondo qualified for the 5,000m race. Joy Cheptoyek is the only female athlete expected to compete in both the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

As for the Marathon, Uganda has six contestants. Stephen Kiisa, Victor Kiplangat, and Andrew Rotich Kwemboi will run the men’s marathon. Similarly, Stella Chesang, Rebecca Cheptegei, and Mercyline Chelengat will compete in the women’s marathon. Finally, Tarsis Orogot made the cut for the 200m following a brilliant season.

Seeing as the biggest percentage of the athletes hail from the Sebei region, President Museveni attributed their success to peace in the Elgon region. He said that since Karimojong cattle rustlers were disarmed by the government, the area has been peaceful. According to the President, this enables the athletes to train without distractions.

“Then going to school; we need to have education totally free. We have been fighting for this but some people want to bring back the charges. But we really want to make it free because that is how some children come up and then we identify them.” President Museveni said.