The Top Ten Things You Should Know About Ugandan Athletes In The Olympics

AUGUST 5, 2024

THE TOP TEN THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT UGANDAN ATHLETES IN THE OLYMPICS

10. Debut in the Olympics: Uganda first appeared at the Summer Olympics in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia.

9. Boycott: Uganda has participated in every summer Olympics since its debut in 1956 except for the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal as part of a larger African boycott. This action was in protest against the International Olympic Committee's refusal to ban New Zealand, whose rugby team had toured apartheid-era South Africa.

8. Dominant Sports: Ugandan athletes have traditionally excelled in track and field, particularly in middle and long-distance running events.

7. First Medal: Uganda's first Olympic medal was won by boxer Eridadi Mukwanga, who secured a silver medal in the bantamweight category at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.

6. First Gold Medal: John Akii-Bua won Uganda's first gold medal and set a world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

5. Historical Moment: Dorcus Inzikuru became the first Ugandan woman to win a gold medal at a major global competition when she won the 3000-meter steeplechase at the 2005 World Championships. The event was not included in the Olympics for women until 2008.

4. First Women’s Gold: Peruth Chemutai won gold in the same event at the 2020 Olympics in Tokoyo, marking the first time a Ugandan woman won an Olympic medal.

3. Paris 2024: Uganda is represented by 24 athletes in this year’s Olympics. Ten men and eleven women will run at varying lengths as part of athletics. Uganda will also have athletes participating in swimming, cycling and rowing.

2. An Olympic Record: Joshua Cheptegei won gold in the 5,000 meters and silver in the 10,000 meters in Tokyo in 2020. This year in Paris, he upgraded his silver medal to a gold, setting a new Olympic record.

1. Medal Count: To date, Uganda has won a total of 11 Olympic medals: 4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze.