Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei set a new Olympic games record when he posted a time of 26:43:14 to win Gold in the men’s 10,000m at the ongoing #ParisOlympics2024.
His triumph marked Uganda’s first medal at the event that is taking place in Paris, France.
The long-distance runner has now won more Olympic medals than any other known Ugandan athlete in history winning 5,000m in Tokyo 2020, 10,000m, in Tokyo, 2020 (Silver), and 10,000 metres, in Paris 2024.
ASP Joshua Cheptegei, the three-peat world Olympics champion beat Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregai (26: 43:44) and America’s Grant Fisher (26:43:46) who finished first and second runners-up respectively.
Read More: Paris Olympics government to award winners with cash
His teammates Jacob Kiplimo and Martin Kiprotich failed to make it to the podium having finished 8th posting a time of (26:46:39) and (28:20:72) respectively.
According to the race commentator, the race was Cheptegei’s last to feature in any Olympic games as he is looking towards retiring.
“For me, maybe it’s time to go to the roads. I’ve really won everything that is there to be won, so I think this is my last Olympics and maybe this is my last track and field. I’m really very sure that the track is on the safe side with these guys Grant Fisher and Berihu (Aregawi) here and many guys there”, Joshua Cheptegei stated
As you read this, we want to inform you that Cheptegei is now Shs100m richer courtesy of the government of Uganda.
This is because the government promised to reward Olympic winners with cash prizes of Shs100m for those who win Gold medals, Shs50m for a silver medal, and 30 million Ugandan shillings for a bronze medal.
Congratulations Cheptegei!!
