Ugandan gold medal winner gets $80,000 check, hero's welcome
By Faith Karimi, CNN
August 16, 2012
Ugandan Stephen Kiprotich stunned Kenyan challengers, who were heavily
favored to win
In addition to the check, the president says he will build a house for his
parents
The president also pledges to provide more support to Ugandan athletes
(CNN) -- A Ugandan marathoner who won the nation's first Olympics gold medal
in 40 years returned home to a hero's welcome and a check for $80,000.
Stephen Kiprotich, 23, was virtually unknown in Uganda before he stunned his
Kenyan challengers, who were heavily favored to win the marathon during the
London Olympics.
His unexpected win sparked excitement in the East African nation that won
its last gold medal in the Munich Games in 1972.
Throngs flooded the airport to honor Kiprotich, whose win sparked fierce
pride as the nation celebrates 50 years of independence.
God is my coach
"I need to salute Kiprotich and those people who helped him to train," said
President Yoweri Museveni, who had breakfast with him Wednesday at state
house in Entebbe. "This gives us morale boost to organize ourselves better."
Museveni also presented Kiprotich with a check of Ugandan shillings 200
million ($80,000), according to a statement from the president's office.
He ordered the money be deposited on his account before the close of
business and pledged to build a three-bedroom house for his parents in
eastern Uganda.
"This medal is from God particularly now that Uganda is celebrating 50 years
of independence," the president said.
The president also pledged to provide more support to Ugandan athletes and
build a high altitude training facility for future runners. Kiprotich moved
to Kenya's high altitude Eldoret region to train because of lack of training
facilities in his nation.
The Ugandan Olympian started off the marathon by trailing behind the Kenyan
duo that won silver and bronze, but finished with a big lead.
After he crossed the finish line, he dropped to his knees and bowed, draped
in a Ugandan flag.
"I have been dreaming, 'Can I be like John Akii-Bua?'," Kiprotich said after
winning. " I think today I joined the champions, so I am happy."
The late Akii-Bua won Uganda's first Olympic gold four decades ago in the
400-meter hurdles.
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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