Publication date: Thursday, 1st May, 2008
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THE British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) will pay tribute to Uganda’s only Olympic gold medalist John Akii-Bua by screening a documentary Looking for John before the Beijing Olympic Games.
The Ugandan high hurdler was one of the stars of the Munich Olympic Games in 1972, when he set a world record of 47.82 seconds to win gold. He was the first man to run the 400m hurdles under 48 seconds.
The film, which was shot by Very Much So Productions in Uganda, Germany and Kenya where Akii-Bua escaped to exile, was done following his memoirs that were released by his former coach Malcolm Arnold three years back.
The British coach travelLed down to Kampala for the shooting of the documentary, where he also met former Akii-Bua team mates Peter Okot Omwony, Nalis Bigingo, Peter Rwamuhanda and Dan Tamwesigire. Akii-Bua passed away in 1997.
The hurdler, and reigning Commonwealth steeplechase champion Dorcus Inzikuru, were honoured here when their pictures were placed in the Africa Athletics Confederation’s Hall of Fame.
In African Athletics Championship action yesterday, Jimmy Adar (5th in 800m) and Waisswa Lukungu (8th in 400m) and Justine Bayiga(6th in 400m) fell out of the semifinals.
That leaves 3000m steeplechase runner Simon Ayeko as Uganda’s main medal hope. He runs the finals today.
This article can be found on-line at: http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/30/625629
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