On Monday night Dorcus Inzikuru made many Ugandans proud when she won the gold medal in the 3000 metre steeplechase at the world championships in Helsinki Finland. In many countries such a win would not have been such a big deal, but for Ugandans it marked the first time a Ugandan athlete had won a gold medal at a major athletics event since the 1972 Olympics when John Akii-Bua won the gold medal in the 400 metre hurdles.
Although a number of detractors are saying the women’s steeplechase has only recently been introduced and is therefore not very competitive, the fact still remains that Inzikuru has the gold medal. Inzikuru was earlier this year the fastest person in that race and she has made her own history.
Like many Ugandans I am hoping that Inzikuru’s gold will be an encouragement to all budding athletes to break the fourth-place curse that seems to have hung above all Ugandans competitors at international sports events for well over two decades.
Although a number of detractors are saying the women’s steeplechase has only recently been introduced and is therefore not very competitive, the fact still remains that Inzikuru has the gold medal. Inzikuru was earlier this year the fastest person in that race and she has made her own history.
Like many Ugandans I am hoping that Inzikuru’s gold will be an encouragement to all budding athletes to break the fourth-place curse that seems to have hung above all Ugandans competitors at international sports events for well over two decades.
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