Thomas Ayeko: An athlete of distinction

By James Bakama/Senior Writer

As a junior, Thomas Ayeko was an athlete of distinction. He was a medalist at not only African meets, but also the World Cross-country Championship where he won silver in 2011.

He recently graduated to the senior team and sees the London Olympics as a platform to boost his experience. “It is my first Olympics. I can’t start talking about a medal,” said Ayeko.

He was recently at the Aviva Olympic trials in Birmingham where he finished the 10,000 meters sixth, one place behind team-mate Moses Kipsiro in a race won by Ethiopian star Kenenisa Bekele.

That was a commendable performance for someone who eight months ago was running as a junior.

That he had earlier won a seniors race in Gothenburg and finished second in the Primo Nebiolo Memorial meet in Italy, says volumes about his potential.

He opts for 10,000m

In London he has opted for the 10,000m.

He will again be joined by team-mate Moses Kipsiro, who in a bid to widen his medal chances, has also entered the 5000m.

Veteran coach Nalis Bigingo who handled Ayeko before the World Cross-country sees a very bright future in the runner.

“He has the discipline and endurance to make it to the top,” notes Bigingo however adding that all Ayeko has to work on to match the world’s best, is speed.

While in Uganda he runs for Kipsiro’s Bukwo based club Elgon Athletics Club. Like Kipsiro, he is also managed by one of the top international sports managers: Pace International Sports Management.

Kipsiro needs Ayieko

If Kipsiro is to go for medal, he will be greatly relying on Ayeko’s support. The Ugandan duo will be battling a formidable Kenyan trio of Bedan Karoki, Wilson Kiprop and Moses Masai.

Ayeko and Kipsiro will also have to be cautious of the Ethiopian entry of Gebre Gebremariam and Tariku Bekele.

Tactics are at this level very crucial in not only setting the pace, but also determining the best moment to break away.

Ayeko would in this case serve as Kipsiro’s pace setter he waits to pounce in a final sprint that could lift Uganda back to the Olympic medal podium after a 16 year wait.

If the duo gets its act right, Uganda will be cheer August 4.