Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich wins London 2012 Olympic gold medal in men’s marathon!!
Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich wins London 2012 Olympic gold medal in men’s marathon!! Uganda has broken a 40 years drought since John Akii-Bua won a medal at the Olympics.
The icing on the cake is that it comes on the last day of the Olympics.
The marathon made its way past some of London’s most famous landmarks.
Competitors pass in front of Buckingham Palace in the men’s marathon Credit: Press Association
Runners in the Olympic marathon run past the Palace of Westminster Credit: Press Association
Full Report.
Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich stunned the Kenyan challenge to clinch a surprise Olympic gold medal in the marathon on The Mall on Sunday. The 23-year-old burst past Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang around the 38 kilometre mark to leave his two rivals trailing and claim only Uganda’s second ever Olympic gold in athletics.
Kiprotich followed in the footsteps of his compatriot John Akii-Bua, who was 400 metres hurdles champion 40 years ago, and crossed the line in two hours, eight minutes and one second. Kirui took the silver, 26 seconds adrift, and long-time leader Kipsang finished with the bronze. Kipsang, the London Marathon winner, made an early move to try to break up the lead group, building a 21sec lead at one point.
It was a high-risk strategy in such warm conditions, though, and he paid for it as the race went on as he started to look less and less comfortable. He missed a drinks stop and by the 25km mark his advantage was down to seven seconds. Kenyan world champion Kirui and Kiprotich soon joined the leader to make it a three-way battle for the gold medal.
Kiprotich looked to be starting to struggle, holding the back of his leg, but he suddenly produced a big surge, leapt to the front and pulled away. In front of packed crowds all along the looped central London course, the Ugandan, who moved to Kenya as a teenager to train, started smiling and pointing his finger into the air as he closed in on victory before draping himself in the Ugandan flag as he crossed the line. – The Telegraph
About the Author
Thank you so much Stephen Kiprotich for representing our motherland. Though many doubted, you have shown us that you believed in yourself and brought home the Gold medal. Forgive us for withering in our support. You are a true son of the Nile, and our joy flows through your veins. Thank you!!! Uganda Oyee!!
Couldn’t resist tears flowing down my eyes….!!!! Thank you Kiprotich!
Viva Stephen KIPROTICH,
16 or so of you went to London looking for Gold on our behalf, you found the British and others, conquered them all and brought back the MEDAL! Bravo son of the homeland! Viva Uganda! ASANTE SANAAAAA!
I cried myself to sleep. It was one of those moments that made me proud to be Ugandan. For God and My Country.
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