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By:
DARREN ALLAN KYEYUNE | |||||||||
| Posted:
Aug,17-2016 13:41:29
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KAMPALA__Stephen Kiprotich was the only triumphant Ugandan as he beat the odds to clinch marathon gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
The huge impact of his victory now sees him return the Olympics with some company. Yesterday, Kiprotich was flagged off by Commissioner for Sports Omara Apita to Rio alongside Solomon Mutai and Jackson Kiprop. The trio will line-up in the yellow bibs for the men’s 42km marathon final in the Brazil capital on Sunday. "I am happy to be going to Rio with my brothers," Kiprotich said. "This time we are three and I pray very much that the medals go in this order," he said while drawing smiles from the media and National Council of Sports (NCS) officials. Since that feat in London, the Ugandan marathon cast has grown. Four qualified for Rio but Abraham Kiplimo is out injured and even then, only three slots were available. Uganda has scooped a men’s marathon medal in every championship since London 2012. Kiprotich bagged gold at the 2013 Moscow Worlds, Kiplimo took 2014 Commonweatlh bronze and Mutai got bronze at the 2015 Worlds. No wonder there is hope this trio can keep the medals coming in Rio. "We are sending the toughest part of our contingent," said Apita. "We shall come back with something," Kiprop promised. Kiprop, who wore down the field for Kiprotich to win in Moscow, is the only one of the trio yet to win a championship medal. "Winning a medal is not by chance," said the 2013 Mumbai Marathon champion. "What is remaining is only us to work together and deliver. The part left is now ours." "In God we trust," offered Mutai, who stunned a field that had then Olympics and World champion Kiprotich, world record holder Dennis Kimetto in Beijing. "We are going forward to fight for medals and it is possible for me to win gold after three months of training with support from the government," he added "All we want are your prayers. We know our fans will not be in Rio but wherever you are watching from, just give us your support," added Kiprotich, fourth at the Tokyo Marathon this year. Apita's final words to the three were fitting. "God be with you." RIO OLYMPICS - AUGUST 21 Men's Marathon Final LIVE SS4, 3:20PM Team Uganda: Stephen Kiprotich, Solomon Mutai and Jackson Kiprop | |||||||||
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