Two Ugandans will be in action today at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Leonard Chemutai will run the 3000m steeplechase heats at 19:04 PM (EAT), while Tarsis Orogot will race in the men’s 200m heats at 19:55 PM (EAT).
Orogot, who is currently ranked 13th in the world, will line up in heat 2, where the top three will advance directly to the semifinals. Those who do not make it to the automatic qualification places will move to the Repechage Round.
This year, the Ugandan-USA based sprinter has lowered his national record twice with times of 19.90 seconds in mid-April and 19.75 seconds in mid-May in Gainesville. However, he’s facing a tough challenge when it comes to securing a medal at the Olympics as he will have to face the crème de la crème athletes, including 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles (USA), Andre De Grasse (Canada), Kenny Bednarek (USA), Letsile Tebogo (Botswana), and Erriyon Knighton (USA).
The other athlete for Uganda in action today is Leonard Chemutai, who will be competing in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Chemutai will be in heat one, where the first five in each heat will advance to the final.
Uganda has already secured one gold medal at the ongoing Olympics, thanks to Joshua Cheptegei’s heroics in the 10,000m on Friday.
