Kiprotich among CNN top 100
Kiprotich
What you need to know:
Uganda’s Olympic gold winner Stephen Kiprotich did not only choose his moment on his final kick last Sunday and at the closing ceremony.
The 23-year-old timed his run so well to also finish inside CNN’s top 10 best sporting moments at the just ended London 2012 Olympics. CNN’S Ben Wyatt watched the Games in London and, in no particular order, named his top 10 moments, featuring yours truly, Kip-gold. Although his “in no particular order” disclaimer came through strongly, Kiprotich was ranked ninth in his “writing order”, however, we shall start with our very own in this write-up, but in CNN’c own words.
Nations like Uganda do not figure in the scrap for Olympic medals often, and in the run-up to London 2012 there was no reason to think that this would change at the 30th Olympiad.
But Stephen Kiprotich -- a 23-year-old from Kapchorwa who left his subsistence-farmer parents at the age of 17 to live in Eldoret, Kenya in pursuit of his dream to become a champion long-distance runner -- had other ideas.
Despite the field for the men’s marathon being saturated with Kenya and Ethiopia’s finest, the plucky outsider beat off the challenge of race favorite Wilson Kipsang and two-time world champion Abel Kirui to become his nation’s first gold medalist since 1972.
“I was unknown before today. Now I am known,” he told reporters on winning the race. “I can say I am very happy to win a medal for my country. I love my people.” The population of Uganda will surely return their feelings in kind.
The other nine are: Jamaican Usain Bolt’s three gold medals in 100m, 200m and 4*100m relays, Hoy and GB’s cycling dominance, American swimmer Michael Phelps who won four golds and two silvers and Dutch gymnast Epke Zonderland.
Kenyan runner David Rudisha is also in for smashing the 800m world record. Rudisha blew away his opponents -- six of whom set personal bests -- and smashed the world record with a time of one minute 40.91 seconds to win gold.
Carmelita Jeter, the American flying female foursome who won gold in 200m and 4*400m relays, Britain’s Andy Murray’s classic dismissal of Roger Federer in men’s tennis singles, Chinese overall success of amassing over 80 medals, and British super-heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, who won gold on the final day complete the top 10. Meanwhile, in an interview with CNN, Kiprotich, who arrives today with the rest of Team Uganda, expressed honour of being Uganda’s second athlete to triumph (win gold at the Olympics) on sport’s biggest stage. The first man to win Uganda an Olympic gold was the late John Akii-Bua at the 1972 Munich Games in the 400m hurdles.
“I never saw John Akii-Bua run, but there are a lot of memories of him,” Kiprotich told reporters after claiming a surprise victory in the men’s marathon on the final day of London 2012.
“I have been dreaming, ‘Can I be like John Akii-Bua?’ There is a time for everything, a time to train and a time to relax. I think today I joined the champions, so I am happy.” Leo Rwabwogo won boxing silver at the same Games, having won bronze four years earlier in Mexico when Eridadi Mukwanga took home silver. The others Ugandans on Olympic podiums until Sunday were silver medallist John Mugabi at Moscow ‘80 and bronze winner in 400m Davis Kamoga at Atlanta ‘96.
On Sunday, two-time world champion Abel Kirui had to make do with silver, while fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang claimed bronze. Kiprotich made his move after covering about 38 of the 42.195 kilometers, bursting clear before taking a Ugandan flag from the crowd as he crossed the finish line in a time of two hours, eight minutes and one second.
“When the race started I thought the Kenyans would win,” Kiprotich said. “I kept in touch and then I thought, ‘Let me move’, so I moved. “When we came to within three miles, then I started to go on strongly.”
Kipsang, who won the London marathon in April, opened up a 21-second lead at one stage but later suffered in the hot conditions.
“When Kipsang and I were together, I thought we were the only ones who would fight for the gold,” said Kirui, who finished 26 seconds behind Kiprotich. “I thought I was going to sprint with Kipsang in the final kilometers. Surprisingly, I saw Stephen with us and it was difficult to make a move. “He stayed with us for a long time and he made a stronger move in the end. We were closing the gap but couldn’t catch him. I am happy for him.”
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THE HIGHLIGHTS
The start. Stephen Kiprotich starts off strongly in the leading pack with Ethiopians Getu Fekele and Ayele Abshero and Marilson dos Santos.
Mid race.The Brazilian leads briefly before Kipsang takes charge. The Kenyan crosses the 20km mark in 59:57 and is comfortably ahead (1:03:15) half way the race. Kiprotich, Kirui and Mutai keep him in check and his legs start to tire after 25km.
Tactical move. Kirui assumes the lead with Kiprotich staying slightly behind secon-placed Mutai until 35km.
Decisive move. With about four kilometres to run, Kiprotich breaks away and doesn’t look back.
Penning history. After he completed the 42.195km gruelling race, Kiprotich became the hottest property in London. CNN ranked his display the 9th most memorable moment at the Games.
