Uganda's Olympics tourists return home
Aug 25, 2008
THE last batch of Ugandan athletes to the just-concluded Olympic Games left Beijing yesterday. The Games ended with another colourful ceremony on Sunday. Marathoner Alex Malinga was the last athlete to jet out at 1pm Ugandan time for the 24-hour journey.
By Norman Katende
THE last batch of Ugandan athletes to the just-concluded Olympic Games left Beijing yesterday. The Games ended with another colourful ceremony on Sunday. Marathoner Alex Malinga was the last athlete to jet out at 1pm Ugandan time for the 24-hour journey.
Malinga who competed last, finished 31st in the marathon race confirming another long wait before attempting to grab a medal at the world’s most prestigious sports showpiece.
Uganda’s flag was last mounted at the presentation podium after Davis Kamoga won the 400m bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Malinga left eight hours later after a day’s rest.
Badminton player Edwin Ekiring, who is on Olympic Solidarity training sponsorship, flew back to his base in Netherlands.
Boniface Kiprop was the first Ugandan athlete to leave Beijing for London while Benjamin Kiplagat also came back home on Wednesday.
Apart from Abraham Chepkirwok and Moses Kipsiro who left Sunday morning for London, all other athletes and officials arrived in the country Sunday afternoon.
The delegation led by team manager Justin Ligyalingi had swimmers Aya Nakitanda and Gilbert Kaburu, boxer Ronald Serugo, athletes Justine Bayigga and Geoffrey Kusuro, managers cum coaches Dominic Otuchet, Benjamin Longiros, Peter Mugisha, Jiminez Gonzalez and Simon Mugabi.
Chef de mission Roger Ddungu will today hand over the games units at the village to the organisers before he flies out.
THE last batch of Ugandan athletes to the just-concluded Olympic Games left Beijing yesterday. The Games ended with another colourful ceremony on Sunday. Marathoner Alex Malinga was the last athlete to jet out at 1pm Ugandan time for the 24-hour journey.
Malinga who competed last, finished 31st in the marathon race confirming another long wait before attempting to grab a medal at the world’s most prestigious sports showpiece.
Uganda’s flag was last mounted at the presentation podium after Davis Kamoga won the 400m bronze in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Malinga left eight hours later after a day’s rest.
Badminton player Edwin Ekiring, who is on Olympic Solidarity training sponsorship, flew back to his base in Netherlands.
Boniface Kiprop was the first Ugandan athlete to leave Beijing for London while Benjamin Kiplagat also came back home on Wednesday.
Apart from Abraham Chepkirwok and Moses Kipsiro who left Sunday morning for London, all other athletes and officials arrived in the country Sunday afternoon.
The delegation led by team manager Justin Ligyalingi had swimmers Aya Nakitanda and Gilbert Kaburu, boxer Ronald Serugo, athletes Justine Bayigga and Geoffrey Kusuro, managers cum coaches Dominic Otuchet, Benjamin Longiros, Peter Mugisha, Jiminez Gonzalez and Simon Mugabi.
Chef de mission Roger Ddungu will today hand over the games units at the village to the organisers before he flies out.