Orogot unlocks Uganda's potential in the sprints at the Paris Olympics

Tarsis Orogot could have unlocked Uganda’s potential in the sprints after making the semifinals of the 200m sprint that will be held today at the Stade de France.

The determination with which he qualified for today’s event is the same he will require when he lines up for the semis alongside Jamaica’s Bryan Levell, France’s Ryan Zeze, South Africa’s Shaun Maswanganyi, Canada’s Andre De Grasse, USA’s Kenneth Bednarek, Dominion’s Alexander Ogando, and Bahamas’ McCoy Wanya who all produced a sub-twenty each in qualifying.

Orogot’s heat has some of the fastest men over the distance and could produce the champion but the Alabama University student is not deterred.

“I just want to execute to the best of my ability. I have matured as an athlete so now is to develop and try to execute a great semifinal. I’m happy I did what I had to do to win the heat and now I look forward to seeing how I draw in the semifinals. Hopefully, I can do the same thing again and win the semifinal,” Orogot who is at the games without his coach Blaine Wiley, who wasn’t accredited for the games, said.

About two and a half months ago Tarsis Gracious Orogot shattered his 200m record when he powered to a 19.75 seconds during the SEC Championship in Gainesville, Florida.

He now targets to make the 200m final at the Paris Olympics having qualified to the semis on Tuesday at the Stade de France. He clocked 20.32 to finish first in heat 1 of round one to qualify for the semis as he made his debut at the games.