Uganda to field 20 athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo, and Peruth Chemutai are headlining Uganda's athletics team set to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics which start Friday, July 26, to Sunday, August 11.

The team of 20 athletes was announced by Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) president  Domenic Otucet at the federation offices at Metropole House in Kampala.

The team is comprised of 20 athletes specifically 10 men and 10 women who will compete in various disciplines from the 200m to the marathon. 

Jacob Kiplimo and Joshua Cheptegei are set to double in 10,000m and 5,000m. They will be joined by Martin Kiprotich and Oscar Chelimo in both disciplines respectively.

Chemutai who has the world-leading time in the women's steeplechase will be under all sorts of pressure to defend her title. World Champion and Commonwealth Games champion in the marathon Victor Kiplangat will look to win Uganda's second Olympics gold medal in the discipline since London 2012 when Stephen Kiprotich won it for Uganda.

National record holder in the discipline Stephen Kissa will join Kiplangat alongside Andrew Kwemoi.

2019 World Champion in the 800m Halima Nakaayi will be amongst the ones to look out for. She is currently training in California while first-time Olympian Tom Dradriga(800m) will train in Spain with Winnie Nanyondo(1500m).

Two athletes Belinda Chemutai(5000) and Loice Chekwemoi (3000mSC) are on standby to see if they can qualify by ranking.

"Uganda is going to fight for medals in Paris. I can confirm that our athletes are going to fight for medals. We won four medals in Tokyo in 2020. If we can equal that, we shall be satisfied but we want to surpass that performance when we go to Paris," said Uganda Athletics Federation president Domenic Otucet.

The 20 athletes hold the nation's hopes after sports like boxing didn't qualify any athlete. Ugandas other two representatives include rowing, swimming, and cycling.

Full team
Men
Tarsis Orogot(200m), Tom Dradriga(800m), Joshua Cheptegei(5000m/10000m), Jacob Kiplimo(5000m/10000m), Martin Kiprotich Oscar Chelimo(5000m), Leonard Chemutai(3000mSC), Victor Kiplangat(marathon), Stephen Kissa(marathon) and Andrew Kwemoi(marathon).
 
Women
Halima Nakaayi(800m), Winnie Nanyondo(1500m), Joy Cheptoyek (5000/10000m), Esther Chebet(5000m), Sarah Chelengat (10000m), Annet Chemengich (10000m), Peruth Chemutai(3000mSC), Stella Chesang(marathon), Rebecca Cheptegei(marathon), Mercyline Chelangat(marathon), Belinda Chemutai(5000m stand by), Loice Chekwemoi(3000mSC standby).