Uganda’s long-distance runner Oscar Chelimo has secured his place in Saturday’s 5000m final at the Paris Olympic Games.
Chelimo met the requirement for the finals as he finished fifth in Heat 2 with a time of 13:52.46 to advance to the medal race.
Chelimo had a slow start, running at the back of the pack for most of the race, but with a powerful sprint in the last 100 meters, he clinched his spot in the final.
In his Heat, it was Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen – a strong favourite for the gold medal – who won with a time of 13:51.59.
Notably, Chelimo won bronze in the 5000m at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene and that kind of form could get him in the medal conversation.
It should be remembered 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.
Meanwhile, Tarsis Orogot and Leonard Chemutai will line up in the 200m semis and 3000m Steeplechase final respectively tonight.
Courtesy Photos
