Paris Olympics: Chemutai settles for 3000m women’s Steeplechase Silver
David GOMBE
Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai finished second in the women’s 3000m Olympic final on Tuesday to clinch silver at Stade de France.
Chemutai who was the reigning champion from Tokyo finished second in a time of 8:53.34 to settle for silver.
Her time in the final was a new national record and she becomes the first Ugandan female to win two Olympic medals.
At the Tokyo Games, Chemutai became the first Ugandan woman to clinch Olympic gold.
The Ugandan steeplechaser was beaten to the Olympic title by World champion at the distance Bahrain’s Winfred Mutile who set a new games’ record of 8:52.76 at the fully packed Stade de France.
Chemutai’s silver means Uganda has so far won two medals at the ongoing Paris Olympics adding to legendary Joshua Cheptegei’s 10000m gold.
Chemutai becomes Uganda’s second most successful athlete in Olympic history. Only 3rd to win more than a medal at the Games after Joshua Cheptegei and Boxer Leo Rwabwogo.
Uganda now has managed 13 medals in Olympic games history, eight of these including all the five golds coming in athletics.