29 July 2021 | Olympics

Ugandan runners Halimah Nakaayi and Winnie Nanyondo have built chemistry over the years as fine and supportive middle-distance specialists. 

However, on Friday, both will run in different heats, hoping to progress to the semifinals of the Tokyo Olympics women’s 800m. 

The duo have will have to fight to finish among first 3 in their respective heats or make the next 6 fastest overall advance to the semifinals. 

2019 World champion Nakaayi may have to look out for Jamaica’s Natoya Goule, the 2019 Pan American Games champion who set a Jamaican record of 1:56.15 in 2018. 

Similarly, Kenyan Sum Eunice Jepkoech and Norwegian Hynne Hedda pose a challenge both holding sub-1:59 personal bests ahead of heat 2 action.

Nanyondo’s PB is 1:58:63 and she seems to be the favorite to progress from heat 1. However, France Lamote Renelle - 2018 Berlin European Championships silver medalist can’t be ignored.

Swiss runner Hoffmann Lore is also bound to draw attention based on her PB of 1:58:50 as Nanyondo summons memories from her bronze finish at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2:01:38.

When to watch Nanyondo and Nakaayi compete at the Tokyo Olympics pending qualification;

Women's 800m Round 1 - Heat 1 and 2

Date and Time: Fri 30 July (4:25am and 4:33am EAT respectively)

Venue: Olympic Stadium

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