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Monday, August 13, 2012

Ugandans celebrate Kiprotich gold

http://www.nation.co.ke

PHOTO | DANIEL GARCIA | AFP Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich waves his national flag while crossing the finish line to win the athletics event men's marathon during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 12, 2012 in London.
PHOTO | DANIEL GARCIA | AFP Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich waves his national flag while crossing the finish line to win the athletics event men's marathon during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 12, 2012 in London. 

By STEPHEN OUMA Nation Correspondent stephen.ouma5@gmail.com
Posted  Sunday, August 12  2012 at  19:53
KAMPALA
Ugandans watched and received news of Stephen Kiprotich’s London Olympic marathon gold medal in style on Sunday.
The local sports fraternity flocked to all clubs and drinking joints to celebrate the country’s second Olympic gold medal in 40 years.
The feat came a day after Ghana Under-20 team eliminated Uganda Hippos 4-3 on aggregate in the Africa Youth Soccer Championship.
Having attained Independence on October 9, 1962, Uganda made their Olympics debut in 1956 in Melbourne. They had won only one Olympic gold medal, a feat attained by the late John Akii Bua.
Ugandans were in merriment as they rang FM radio stations and posted several messages on the social network Facebook, with most congratulating the athletes for restoring the country’s sporting glory while others lashed at government for neglecting sports.
The public has already unofficially declared Stephen Kiprotich national hero ahead of the country’s October 9 Golden Jubilee.
Many unknown ‘Stephen Kiprotichs’
Most callers and bloggers called on the government and the National Council of Sports to go and tap talent in the countryside, where they believed there are many unknown “Stephen Kiprotichs” who need identification and grooming.

4 comments



  • Henry Kiprotich • 15 hours ago

    Well done Kiprotich. You have showed the world that Uganda can match the highly fancied Kenyans and Ethiopians If the government comes in and supports the athletes. A team of less than 8 athletes and sponsored by a few corporate companies but not a government to the olympics can manage a gold.

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      glioma • 18 hours ago

      Sorry Kenya, this Kiprotich is not one of yours, in case you are wondering.

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        Dikhi Mwai • 5 hours ago • parent

        But he lives and trains in Kenya...he himself told American NBC...I can't train well in Uganda...I got no one to train with and Kenya has better facilities....there you have it...but am not taking anything away from this champ...he deserves all the accolades...his surge away from the 2 Kenyans was outstanding...he beat them fair and square...even Kirui..second place finisher and his training partner appeared during Kiprotich interview with the American media, put his arm on his shoulder, stared at his face and shook his head briefly interrupting him...I thought that was funny...

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          Arap Kimala • 4 hours ago • parent

          He is a Kalenjin




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