Good News Reporter
Uganda’s duo long-distance runners, Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo are now scheming the final of the Men’s 5,000 meters race as yet another opportunity for them to win a gold medal. The two turned their eyes to this race after missing gold at the 10,000 meters race held last Friday, where Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega snatched the medal while they watched.
Had he won that race, the world record holder, Cheptegei would have satisfactorily abandoned the 12-and-a-half laps race to enjoy his glory.
But in a Facebook post earlier today (Tuesday August 3, 2021), Cheptegei said: “My Games are not [yet] done, 5,000m [is] the next.”
The Men’s 5,000 meters begins with the Heats today, where Kiplimo’s brother, Oscar Chelimo is expected to feature. The first five finishers from both Heat 1 and Heat 2 will qualify for the final, slated for this Friday August 6,2021. He further noted that: “I’m very grateful for the silver medal,” adding that: “I’m still dreaming for the Olympic title! See you soon in the 5,000m.”
Cheptegei first came to the limelight after winning both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters races at the Commonwealth Games, held in Australia in 2018. While the debutant Chelimo made his name after winning the individual Junior Bronze at the 2019 World Cross-country Championships in Denmark.
In Heat 2 where the Uganda’s duo will appear today, they need to keep an eye on Spaniard Mohammed Katir and America’s 2016 Olympic silver medalist, Paul Chelimo. Their other threat is Ethiopia’s junior world cross-country champion, Milkesa Mengesha and Canada’s Justyn Knight.
