Paris, France | THE INDEPENDENT | Ugandan swimmer Gloria Anna Muzito finished eighth in the women’s 100m freestyle preliminaries at the Paris 2024 Olympics on Tuesday in a new national record of 55.95 seconds. Despite her efforts, she did not qualify for the semi-finals.
The 21-year-old faced stiff competition in one of the toughest heats, which included the USA’s Torri Huske, the recent gold medalist in the women’s 100m butterfly. Despite her efforts, Muzito could not secure a spot among the elite swimmers in heat four.
She finished in 55.95 seconds behind Hong Kong’s Siobhan Bernadette Haugheywho won the heat 53.02. Netherlands’s Marrit Steenbergen and USA’s Torri Huske came second and third respectively with a time of 53.22, and 53.53 respectively.
According to the competition format, the top 16 swimmers from the four heats advance to the semi-finals, with the top eight from there moving on to the finals where medals are awarded. Her time ranked 22nd overall, falling short of the semi-finals.
“Am happy with my swim, it was so good, I was nervous before, since this is so big, my first time in the Olympics, but it was a good swim, so I will take it, I am happy with it, I will just have to back to my coach see what do,” she said after her heat.
Although Muzito, who served as Uganda’s flag bearer alongside cyclist Charles Kagimu during the opening ceremony, failed to reach the semis, she still has an achievement to take home after lowering her national record which stood at 56.01 seconds to 55.95 seconds.
Muzito entered the Games with a strong pedigree, having won a continental gold medal at the Africa Aquatics Championships in Angola earlier this year. She had previously set a national record of 56.01 seconds during the African Games in Ghana last year, where she earned a bronze medal, and was hopeful for a strong performance in Paris.
She now leaves the Paris Games as the fifth woman to represent Uganda in Olympic swimming, joining the ranks of previous competitors Kirabo Namutebi, Jamila Lunkuse, Aya Nakitanda, and Supra Singhal.
Meanwhile, Friday promises to be a busy day for Uganda at the Paris Games, with eight athletes scheduled to compete, including three in finals. Swimmer Jesse Ssengonzi will participate in the men’s 100m butterfly heats, followed by long-distance runners Joy Cheptoyek, Sarah Chelangat, and Belinda Chemutai in the women’s 5000m heats.
Later, seasoned middle-distance runner Halimah Nakaayi will enter the Women’s 800m Heats, before long-distance runners Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, and Martin Kiprotich compete in the Men’s 10,000m Final.
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