Mark Ssali
14 August 2008
Beijing — One would never have told from the look on their faces, but the two boys shouldering the heavy burden of Uganda’s medal hopes arrived here from London yesterday.
With hopes for a medal taking a hit with each passing day, it came as no surprise that the Ugandan camp at the Games of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing released a collective sigh of relief when Moses Kipsiro and Abraham Chepkirwok touched base in the afternoon.
If they are feeling any pressure however, the country’s star runners who arrived in style complete with personal trainers and physios did not show it; instead, there was fatigue accumulated from an 11-hour flight from Heathrow, and it wasn’t long before they excused themselves to steal a nap.
Kipsiro, the medal hope in a strong men’s 5000m field, and Chepkirwok, a dark horse in the wide open men’s 800m competition, were accompained by the personal coach they share with Boniface Kiprop, Ricky Simms.
Simms, who works out of Pace Sports Management, was in the company of Jessica Nugent who is the personal physiotherapist for the boys.
The duo was received in camp by Athletics Team Manager Domenic Otucet, their fellow runner Justin Bayiga, and the rest of the Ugandan contingent, apart from those who had stepped out for training or for a leisurely walk.
“We are happy we have two more of our people,” General Team Manager Justin Ligyalingi said, making no attempt to mask his joy. “Now we turn to supporting boxer Ronald Serugo tomorrow and I have managed to secure tickets for my group to go and support him,” he added.
“Three more athletes will be here on the 14th with Commissioner Dan Tamwesigire and their coach Benjamin Longiros,” continued Ligyalingi in reference to the impending arrival of Benjamin Kiplagat (3,000m steeplechase), Geoffrey Kusuro (5,000m) and Kiprop (10,000m) on Thursday. The last man to arrive will be marathoner Alex Malinga on Sunday.
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