Cheptegei gets Shs123 million reward for Monaco victory

Joshua Cheptegei who ensured a thrilling return for competitive athletics last month as he shattered the much-vaunted 16-year-old 5,000m world record at the Monaco Diamond League, has received Shs123 million reward from MTN Uganda.

Cheptegei set a new 5000 metres world record of 12:35.36, breaking Kenenisa Bekele's 16-year old world record of 12:37.35.

He also received a telecommunication package of 12GB of data, 35 voice minutes and 36 SMS per month for twelve months.

Both prizes, according to MTN Uganda symbolize the new 12.35.36 world record time. 

MTN Uganda CEO, Mr Wim Vanhelleputte handed over the prizes to Cheptegei at Mbale Resort Hotel on Thursday.

“In sport, recognizing and rewarding milestones is widely accepted as an essential motivation in getting athletes to reach their peak potential. And so, as Joshua continues to take on other sporting challenges, Uganda ought to recognize and celebrate this remarkable achievement,” Mr Vanhelleputte said.

 Cheptegei's astonishing display capped a warm welcome back for track and field for a season almost wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, with fellow world champions Noah Lyles and Karsten Warholm also shining on the track.

In perfect conditions, with little wind and temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius (81F), Cheptegei clocked 12min 35.36sec to shatter Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele's previous best of 12:37.35, set in 2004.

Running in front of a reduced capacity of 5,000 masked spectators in line with COVID-19 restrictions, music blared out as World Athletics debuted a "bespoke atmosphere creation system" to enhance the experience for the athletes, the spectators and the broadcast audience in the absence of a full crowd.

Warholm showed no sign of coronavirus-induced rustiness as he led from gun to tape to clock a meet record of 47.10sec in the men's 400m hurdles, the first time he has run the event since he won his second world title in Doha.