Peruth Chemutai, a Ugandan star, represents one of her country’s best hopes for success at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Chemutai became the first Ugandan woman to win an Olympic medal when she won the 3000m Steeplechase at Tokyo 2020 in 9:01.45, beating Courtney Frerichs (USA) and Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi (Kenya).
“I feel great right now. I made it today. Uganda is the first country to win a gold medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase. Chemutai said, “I am overjoyed to be an Olympic champion.”I considered leading the race, but Frerichs, an American girl, won.” I simply decided to run the final 500 meters, and I ran hard all the way to the finish.
Olympics_Peruth Chemutai
Uganda had previously won ten Olympic medals, all of which went to men. The country’s two previous Olympic gold medals were won by marathon runner Stephen Kiprotich in London in 2012 and sprinter John Akii-Bua in Munich in 1972.
Chemutai is from the Bukwo District and started running in 2013. Only two years later, at the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games in Apia, Samoa, she won silver medals in the 1500m and 3000m. The following year, at the age of 17, she finished seventh in the women’s 3000m Steeplechase final at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
The teenager was a member of Uganda’s 2016 Olympic team but failed to advance to the finals of the 3000m Steeplechase in Rio de Janeiro. However, five years later in Japan, 22-year-old Chemutai was the class of the field and made history by winning the gold medal.
In 2024, she continued to excel, winning the 3000m Steeplechase race at the Prefontaine Classic [a Diamond League event] in Eugene in 8:55.09, beating her own national record and breaking the nine-minute barrier for the first time.
“I am very happy that I continue to improve as we get closer to the Paris Olympics,” she said. “I continue to work hard because my focus remains to defend the gold medal I won at the Tokyo Olympics.”
The final of the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase will be held on the track at Stade de France on the evening of Tuesday 6 August DSTv LIVE on SuperSport.
ALSO READ: 2024 Summer Olympics Games in Paris Live on DStv: 31 Days to Go!
