Team Uganda is preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26 to August 11, 2024, in France.
On Friday, the Uganda Olympics Committee, National Council of Sports, Ministry of Education and Sports, and French Embassy in Uganda launched the 100-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics Games during a media event aimed at highlighting the significance of this major sporting event.
There are high hopes for Uganda to once again deliver an impressive performance, as promised during the launch.
“France is ready to host the games and welcome Ugandan athletes and supporters. We want them to come in large numbers and achieve as many medals as possible,” stated H.E Xavier Sticker, Ambassador of France to Uganda.
“We have worked diligently to ensure the success of these games over the last seven years. We are thrilled to host them in France. We aim to promote inclusiveness; regardless of their backgrounds, we want people to come together.”
Uganda aims for increased participation at the Paris Games.
The previous edition, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was a significant success, and the UOC intends to build on that for another triumphant event.
During the Tokyo Olympics, Uganda secured four medals: Peruth Chemutai (gold), Jacob Kiplimo (bronze), and Joshua Cheptegei’s double (gold+silver).
The country was represented by 25 competitors, the largest number since the Los Angeles games in 1984 (26).
Uganda’s highest representation was 33, recorded at the 1972 Munich games.
“We currently have 21 athletes who have qualified for the games, including 16 from the Athletics team, two from swimming, one rower, and one cyclist,” confirmed Donald Rukare.
“We encourage new sponsors to come on board, and we extend our gratitude to the Government for their continued support thus far. We remain hopeful that this number will increase before the qualifiers end in June.”
Who Can Still Qualify?
Rugby, badminton, boxing, and athletics still have opportunities to qualify athletes before the window closes at the end of June.
There is still more time for Athletes to achieve the Qualification times in various Athletics disciplines.
For the second time at the Olympics since the inaugural edition in 1956, Uganda may fail to send a Boxer at the Games. Uganda did not also qualify a Boxer at the 2012 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro.
Uganda’s last chance to qualify a Boxer at the Olympics will be at two world qualification tournaments in Bangkok, Thailand from 23 May to 3 June.
Uganda failed to qualifying a boxer to Olympics through the African Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal in September last year.
Then this year, the four boxers – Shafik Mawanda, Joshua Tukamuhebwa, Yusuf Nkobeza, and Emily Nakalema – failed to make the cut during the World Qualifying Tournament in Busto Arsuzio, Italy.
Time has already run out for the Badminton Players despite an impressive show at the African Games!
Fadhila Shamika who stood a chance in the Women’s singles may fail to garner the required ranking points, even with an ongoing tournament in Slovakia where she is part.
The injury she picked in Egypt hampered her participation in ranking points tournaments while the upcoming Thomas and Uber Cup in China will fall outside the qualification window (with ranking already released then).
The Sport of Rugby hold Uganda’s faint hopes of qualifying a Team Sport for the first time since the Hockey team in 1972 games in Munich.
Both Men and Women teams will give their shot at the 2024 Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament due 21–23 June 2024 in Monaco.
Note:
Uganda Athletics Federation will select three athletes from events with multiple qualifiers, such as the Marathon. Additionally, the Uganda Swimming Federation reserves the right to withdraw the names of the two wild cards if the participants’ performance declines.
Tentative qualified athletes to 2024 Paris Olympics
Athletics – Jacob Kiplimo, Joshua Cheptegei, Oscar Chelimo, Halima Nakaayi, Winnie Nanyondo, Peruth Chemutai, Sarah Chelangat, Joy Cheptoyek, Annet Chemengich Chelangat, Stella Chesang, Rebecca Cheptegei, Mercyline Chelangat, Doreen Chesang, Tarsis Orogot, Tom Dradriga, Leonard Chemutai, Victor Kiplangat, Stephen Kissa, Andrew Kwemoi, Solomon Mutai, Geoffrey Kusuro, Martin Magengo Kiprotich
*Cycling – Charles Kagimu
*Rowing – Kathleen Noble Grace
*Swimming – Jesse Ssengonzi, Gloria Muzito
https://sportsnation.co.ug/2024/04/19/revealed-who-has-qualified-for-paris-olympics-so-far/
