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Tarsis Orogot has set a new national record in the 200m ahead of the Olympics. His previous record was 19.94 but at the Tom Johns Invitational, he ran a time of 19.90 obliterating the field and setting a new national record.

“We are so happy for Tarsis Orogot and it shows us that if we give these young athletes the facilities and the environment is good we can see many records broken,” explained Uganda Athletics Federation general secretary Namayo Mawerere.

This particular news was well received by the hundreds who thronged Uganda Christian University for the fourth trial.

It was difficult for the sprinters to post good times while there which is why Mawerere has highlighted the need for our athletes to access the right equipment to enable them to perform at their best.

“We have always focused on the middle and short distance from 800m to the marathon. What he has shown is that we have a good chance of doing well in the sprints, we used to do well but we have regressed a lot because of facilities, and the ones that are there don’t meet the standard,” he stated.

Last year, Orogot dipped below the 20-second mark and in doing so he set the previous national record of 19.94 in the men’s 200m in the semifinal heat at the CAA Outdoor Championships in Texas.