If anyone in the Uganda camp in France was so optimistic about performing to his utmost, then no one beats Charles Kagimu.
Truth is he knew it was going to be so hard for him to win (or even manage a top 20 finish on debut) but his determination to “fight for the flag” was evident.
A bout of illness after the opening ceremony during which he was the nation’s flag bearer cost him hours with concerted efforts from Uganda’s medical team rescuing him from a withdrawal just days before the event.
“There is no way in the World I am not going to become an Olympian,” Kagimu told this reporter while struggling to speak early this week.
“And I will not only become an Olympian but also make history for my country,” the 25-year-old Kampala-born added.
In finishing this gruelling 272km road race that had an elevation of 2,800m, he achieved what others before him at the 1984 games failed to do when they “did not finish”.
“Never before have I raced in an event this long, but I am glad I have finished and can (even if I crossed 77th) proudly say, I made it,” said Kagimu who was in the breakaway group for almost 190km of this race won by Belgian Remco Evenepoel.
It should be noted that Uganda paint manufacturing giants Kansai Plascon through their “Twaake” (meaning “Go and Shine”) campaign, gave the Ugandan contingent of 25 athletes a financial boost ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
