Huge cash prizes await medalists

By James Bakama and Norman Katende

World Championships

August 10-18

Gold: sh156m

Silver: sh78m

Bronze: sh52m

4th place: sh39m

5th place: sh26m

6th place: sh15.6m

7th place: sh13m

8th place: sh10.4m

BESIDES medals, there will also be huge cash prizes to motivate competitors at the World Athletics Championships.

A team of 12 Ugandans will be part of over 2000 athletes competing for the money in the Russian capital Moscow. Gold medalists will earn $60,000 (sh156m), silver sh78m and bronze sh52m. 

Dorcus Inzikuru is the only Ugandan to have won the top prize. This was in 2005 when she struck gold in the women’s steeplechase in Helsinki.

Other Ugandans who came close to the winners’ prize were Moses Kipsiro, who pocketed $20,000 for his bronze in 2007 and Davis Kamoga who was rewarded with $30,000 for getting a silver in 1997.

Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich will be Uganda’s best bet for the big prize in Moscow.

Unlike at the Olympics where Kiprotich lacked support in the front pack, the Ugandan captain this time leads a strong team that also includes Abraham Kiplimo and Jackson Kiprop. 

Kiprotich, Kiplimo and Kiprop are in camp in the Kenya highlands.