By The recent withdrawals of Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo from the men’s 5000-metre event at the Paris 2024 Olympics have sparked significant public discontent in Uganda, reflecting the high expectations placed on the nation’s top athletes. This reaction is understandable given the remarkable achievements of Cheptegei and Kiplimo, who have collectively won 20 medals in major championships since 2017.
Following Cheptegei’s gold medal victory in the 10,000m event on Friday night, many Ugandans were eager to see him compete in the 5000m. However, Cheptegei had previously announced that a victory in the 10,000m would mark his last competitive track race as he plans to shift his focus to marathon running.
On Tuesday morning, the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) announced in a statement that Kiplimo would also be withdrawing from the 5000m event, the heats of which are scheduled for Wednesday. Team Uganda athletics head coach Faustino Kiwa explained that both athletes were experiencing fatigue and muscle pain, and efforts by the physio teams to fully recover them had been unsuccessful.
Despite initial disappointment, several public officials have since acknowledged the necessity of the withdrawals. Sports Minister Hon. Peter Ogwang expressed his understanding, stating, “We respect this decision because the physical and mental health of athletes is paramount,” via a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The withdrawals mean that Cheptegei will not defend his Olympic title in the 5000m, and Kiplimo will finish the year without a medal from a major senior championship for the first time since 2018. As a result, Oscar Chelimo, Kiplimo’s half-brother, will be Uganda’s sole representative in the event. Chelimo is set to compete in Heat 2, aiming to secure a top-eight finish to qualify for the final on Saturday evening.
Ahead of his second Olympic appearance, Chelimo acknowledged the significance of the event, stating, “Olympics are the highest level of athletics.” At the previous Olympics in Japan, Chelimo finished 16th, while Cheptegei won gold and Kiplimo placed fifth.
In Paris, Chelimo remains focused despite being the sole competitor for Uganda in his event. “I have heard that I am running alone. For sure in athletics, it’s the athlete to decide because they are the ones who run. I am telling my fans ‘don’t give up’. We are Ugandans and we will fight for Uganda so stay with hope for me. Don’t lose hope,” Chelimo said.
Chelimo boasts an impressive track record, including a bronze medal in the junior men’s 8km at the 2019 World Cross-country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark, and a 5000m bronze at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, USA. Despite injury setbacks last year, he has shown strong form this season, posting a season-best time of 12:54.59 at the Bislett Games in Oslo, Norway, and winning the Track Night Vienna in Austria with a time of 12:59.19.
“I am well prepared and I am also going to do my best in the semifinals and then see how to plan it in the finals,” Chelimo added. His heat will include reigning world champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway and 10,000m Olympic bronze medalist Grant Fisher from the USA.
Additionally, Tom Dradriga will make his Olympic debut in the men’s 800m Heat 6, becoming the first Ugandan to compete in this event since Julius Mutekanga at the London 2012 Games. Dradriga has been encouraged by his recent performances, including fourth and third-place finishes at the African Games in Ghana and the Africa Senior Athletics Championships in Douala, Cameroon, respectively.
To conclude the morning session, Winnie Nanyondo will compete in the women’s 1500m repechage Heat 1, aiming to secure a top-three finish to advance to tomorrow’s semifinals.
