KAMPALA, Uganda | Xinhua | Ugandans are celebrating their first gold medal won by Joshua Cheptegei at the on-going Paris Olympics 2024 in France.
The top athlete and world record holder Cheptegei won a gold medal in the 10,000m final on Friday night in Paris. He set an Olympic record of 26 minutes, 43.14 seconds at the national stadium of France.
In the same race Ethiopian Berihu Aregawi settled for a silver medal, while Grant Fisher from the United States bagged a bronze medal.
Throughout Friday night into Saturday Ugandans are still celebrating Cheptegei’s win and the country’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
David Musoke, a doctor by qualification, told Xinhua that Cheptegei has made Uganda very proud. “We want to thank Cheptegei for putting Uganda once again on the map. The whole world once again got the great news of a Ugandan winning a gold medal at the Olympics and Cheptegei has done it again,” said the happy Musoke.
“We thank God again for making this win possible. I was very sure that we shall win a gold medal in this race because athletes have really prepared well,” Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation told Xinhua online from Paris Saturday morning.
Janet Kataaha Museveni, Uganda’s First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports was also full of praise for Cheptegei. “This is such a special moment for you! Adding another gold medal to your collection is truly incredible and Uganda is beaming with pride for you,” added the First Lady on her X platform.
Sarah Namugerwa, another patriotic Ugandan, congratulated Cheptegei for never letting Uganda down. “I celebrated throughout the night with friends after watching the race in one of the Hotels. It was a good feeling seeing a fellow Ugandan carry our flag high and winning a gold medal,” added Namugerwa.
Another Ugandan sports fan Kenan Olia also praised Cheptegei for the big win. “Cheptegei is a true champion. He waited for the right moment to finish the race off like a professional that he is. Arguably the greatest of all time in the 10,000m race,” added Olia.
Many other Ugandans in the capital Kampala celebrated Cheptegei’s win throughout the night in different happening spots. Cheptegei’s win is still the fresh talk in town on Saturday as some Ugandans can be seen wearing T-shirts with Cheptegei’s names inscribed.
Cheptegei will also compete in the 5000m final. ■