Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich crossed the finishing line Sunday after 42km marathon at the London 2012 Olympic Games to become the most unexpected Olympic champion.
“Since 1972, Uganda has not won a gold medal,” Kiprotich said after the race. “We are very happy.”
Uganda Finally appeared on the medals table for the first time in 16 years.
In just two hours, eight minutes and eleven seconds, Stephen Kiprotich sealed his place in world sports history on Sunday ending Uganda’s 40-year wait for an Olympic gold medal.
Kiprotich at the age of 23 became only the second Ugandan to win an Olympic medal after John Akii-Bua in Munich 1972.
Kiprotich kept a keen eye on the Kenyan counterparts. It was more than 4km to go that he timed for a bend to overtake his rivals.
The lot behind him would never reach the Ugandan athlete until he touched the tape and with the Ugandan flag draped on him.
Quick facts
Full name: Stephen Kiprotich
Races: (3,000m, 3,000m Steeplechase, 5,000m, 10,000m, Cross-country and marathon)
Place of birth: Kapchorwa, Uganda
Date of birth: 27-02-1989
Weight: 54kgs
Personal Bests
3000m 7:48.06
3000m steeplechase 8:36.2
5000m 13:23:70
10,000m 28:00.9
Marathon 2:07.12
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