The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Today
Men’s 5000m round 1 – 4.05pm
Jacob Kiplimo, Phillip Kipyeko and Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei
Women’s 800m round 1 – 4.55pm
Halimah Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo
Men’s Steeplechase final – 5.55pm
Jacob Araptany
If Jacob Araptany did not burn himself out by running a season best 8:21.53 in the heats on Monday, he will join a group of athletes out to deny Kenya a 1-2-3 finish in the final today.
For 36 years, the steeplechase gold has been won by a Kenyan, and all indications are that will not change today. The stats indicate that the best everyone else can do is deny the Kenyans the pride of sweeping all medals like they did in 1992 and 2004.
France’s Mahiedine Mekhissi, who won his fourth European title last month, US champion Evan Jager, who booked his spot in the final with a win in his heat, and Uganda’s Araptany who came second in his heat, will attempt to spoil the Kenyan party.
They will have to run close to this year’s season best time of 8:00.12 to do this. Araptany’s best in the race is 8:14.48 set in 2012.
Going by pedigree and best times set this year, including 8:00.12 by youngster Conseslus Kipruto, the race will be won by either him, reigning Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi or 2008 Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto.
Cheptegei back in the 5000m
It has been a disappointing few days in Rio for Uganda so far, but the search for glory at the Games of the XXXI Olympiad continues today.
Uganda’s best performance so far has come from 19-year-old Joshua Cheptegei who finished 6th in the 10,000m final won by Britain’s Mo Farah. He gets another shot when he runs his favourite race, the 5000m today.
Cheptegei should easily make the final, but will hope for a slow semifinal so that he can reserve some energy for the final push. Together with 15-year-old Jacob Kiplimo, they go in heat 1 that also includes Mo Farah. Phillip Kipyeko runs in the 2nd heat.
First five in each heat and the next 5 fastest from both heat, qualify.
The 800m girls
Halimah Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo make their Olympic debuts in the 800m heats today. Improving their personal best times will be their target.
Thursday August 18
Men’s 1500m semifinal – Ronald Musagala
Women 800m semifinal
Friday August 19
Women’s 5000m final
Saturday August 20
Men’s 1500m final 3.00am (Sunday)
Men’s 5000m final 3.30am (Sunday)
Joshua Kiprui Cheptegei
Sunday August 21
Men’s Marathon final 3.30pm
Solomon Mutai, Jackson Kiprop and Stephen Kiprotich
