Uganda's Joshua Cheptegei is the 10KM and 15KM World Record Holder and today at the Wanda Diamond League in Monaco, the two times World Champion will attempt to break the 5000m World Record that was set 16 years ago by Kenenisa Bekele at 12:37.35.

Joshua Cheptegei will run alongside another Ugandan Stephen Kissa for the men’s 5000m event. While 800m Women’s World Champion Halima Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo will run the women’s 1000m event. Joshua Cheptegei is also the defending champion of the 5000m Diamond League in 2019 which he won in a personal best time of 12:57.41 in Zurich.

Despite the threat caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Hon. Janet K. Museveni on 07th August 2020 at State House, Nakasero flagged off the four athletes with the caution to the athletes to be disciplined, act with integrity at all times and avoid temptation to use prohibited substances. She specially thanked the athletes for their excellent performances which were globally recognized as manifested by the number of medals being won by athletes.

She reaffirmed her commitment to support sports and revealed that government was embarking on renovating a number of facilities that included Mandela Namboole, Nakivubo, Aki Bua and Buhinga Stadiums. The First Lady also thanked President Museveni for his great love for sports in Uganda as illustrated by his support to the athletes soon departing for Monaco.

The Minister of State for Sports Hon. Hamson Obua in his remarks urged the athletes to be extremely cautious and careful taking into account COVID-19.

The President of Uganda Athletics Federation Domenic Otucket thanked the First Lady for her strong support for sports. He also appreciated the support from His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni as well. He further cited the support and guidance from the Minister of State for Sports Honorable Hamson Obua and his team at the Ministry, the chair national council of sports and the NCS team as well as the President UOC.

The flag off ceremony was attended by the Minister of State for Sports Honorable Hamson Obua, President Uganda Olympic Committee/IOC Member William Blick, Commissioner Physical Education Ministry of Education and Sports Mr. Omara Apiita, Dr. Donald Rukare Chairman National Council of Sports, Dr. Patrick Ogwel General Secretary National Council of Sports, Special Presidential Assistant for Sports Gunter Lange and President Uganda Athletics Federation Mr. Domenic Otucket. A plane was chartered to fly the athletes to Nairobi and thereafter proceeded to Monaco. The Government also provided funding for the athletes’ upkeep

Today, Friday 14th August 2020 the at 21:13 the Men’s 5000m will take place and the women’s 1000m will be at 21:39

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TEAM UGANDA PROFILES:
JOSHUA CHEPTEGEI
• 2019 IAAF World Championships in Qatar- Gold
• 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus- Gold
• 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast- 2 Gold
• 2017 IAAF World Championships in London- Gold
• 2014 IAAF World U20 Championships in Oregon-Gold
• 2015 Africa U20 Championships in Addis Ababa-Gold

HALIMA NAKAAYI
• 2019 IAAF World Championships in Qatar- Gold
• 2019 All Africa Game in Rabat- Bronze
• 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in Isle of Man-Gold

WINNIE NANYONDO
• 2015 World University Cross Country Championships in Entebbe-Gold
• 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow-Bronze