Athletics delivers again as Uganda's Youth Olympic medalists eye LA28
Uganda fielded a team of 25 athletes across seven disciplines: badminton, table tennis, rowing, rugby, swimming, cycling and athletics. However, once again, the country relied on athletics to deliver its medals.
Uganda’s 3 bronze medalists, Cheptoek (left), Chelimo (middle) and Kibet (right), posing with their medals. (Photo by Julius Kafuluma)
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Athletics has once again come to Uganda's rescue at a major international competition, accounting for all three of the country's medals at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
The Ugandan athletics team secured three bronze medals in the final phase of the Games, which were held on African soil for the first time.
Uganda fielded a team of 25 athletes across seven disciplines: badminton, table tennis, rowing, rugby, swimming, cycling and athletics. However, once again, the country relied on athletics to deliver its medals.
The five-member athletics team included Michael Kibet, who won bronze in the 2,000m steeplechase; Keren Chelimo, who claimed bronze in the 3,000m; and Timothy Cheptoek, who won bronze in the 800m. Baskaline Cherotwo competed in the 1,500m, while Racheal Chelimo took part in the 2,000m steeplechase.
Youth Athlete Development programme bears fruit for Uganda
Under the programme, athletes and coaches were selected to attend a workshop at an Athletics Development Centre in Nairobi, where they shared experiences and discussed preparations for the youth competition.
Cherotwo, together with bronze medallists Keren Chelimo and Michael Kibet, later attended a follow-up local training programme organised in Teryet as part of their final preparations for the Games.
Despite not winning a medal, Cherotwo believes the programme provided her with a competitive environment in which to interact with some of Africa's top junior athletes.
“I learnt a lot from the programme, but most importantly it gave me self-belief, and as an athlete that is all you need to perform at the highest level,” Cherotwo said.
Young athletes target LA 2028
Following their performances at the Youth Olympic Games, young athletes Keren Chelimo, Michael Kibet and Timothy Cheptoek have set their sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“When you're running steeplechase, you use a lot of energy, and it was not easy for me to maintain pace, but in 3000m, I can easily accelerate,” Kibet said.
The trio draw inspiration from Commonwealth champion Joshua Cheptegei, whom they hope to emulate at the elite level.
“Cheptegei was also a learning student like us, but he managed to achieve more in his career,” Chelimo said.
IOC member William Blick believes the Youth Olympic Games offer young athletes much more than competition experience.
“We have the Athletes 365 program, which gives athletes education on how to manage themselves before becoming elites, when they are elites and even when they transition into retirement,” Blick said.
Blick urged local federations to ensure young athletes are enrolled in high-performance programmes and receive funding to continue competing if they are to make it to the 2028 Olympics.