Kiprotich selling hot like a pancake

Stephen Kiprotich’s life was never going to be the same the moment he became Olympic champion. The marathon king has visibly been worn down by the countless events in the aftermath of his historic victory on Sunday. Interviews with the global media and numerous attempts to check on him by a number of fans and well-wishers at the Olympic Village continued yesterday. He is due to fly out tonight at 9pm aboard British Airways together with Uganda’s other contingent. He’ll arrive tomorrow morning at 8.30am.

Ugandans living in the United Kingdom were hoping to meet their hero before departure. Swalley Lwanga and Janet Nakamya are some of the many who were looking forward to the opportunity of meeting the country’s first Olympic champion in 40 years.

They want to individually hand Kiprotich their token of appreciation for his legendary performance on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics. Davis Kamoga, one of Uganda’s seven Olympic medalists, was keen on Kiprotich meet his countrymen. “We saw Usain Bolt and his fellow athletes moving and partying with Jamaicans. These people would love to see Kiprotich and express their gratefulness before him,” Kamoga said yesterday.

“It would give them immense pride, glory and satisfaction.”Kiprotich has barely rested since he ran himself into the annals of sport.

mnamanya@ug.nationmedia.com