02 August 2021 | Athletics

Ugandan middle-distance runner Ronald Musagala faces a challenging field in the men’s 1500m round 1 at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday. 

The 28-year-old who holds the national record will need to make the first 6 in his heat or be among the next 6 fastest overall advance to the semifinals of the event. 

Musagala brings his 2021 Stockholm Diamond League experience after running 3:33:99, closer to his personal best of 3:30:58 set in 2019 at the Monaco Herculis.

Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen, will be the race’s favourite after winning the 1500m/5000m double at the 2018 European Championships at just 17. 

Last year, before his 20th birthday, Jakob broke the European record in the event, clocking 3:28.68 to become the eighth-fastest man of all time.

Another top contender will be Australian Stewart McSweyn. The 26-year-old lowered the Oceania record with his 3:29:51 run in Monaco and finished second at the Doha Diamond League this season. 

Djibouti’s Souleiman Ayanleh enters this race after opting out of round 1 of the men’s 800m heat 6 while Kenyan Simotwo Charles Cheboi, the 2019 African Games bronze medalist also joins the fray.

The other challenge of the race may present in itself in the soaring temperatures of about 37 degrees Celsius, humidity levels also quite high. 

When to watch Ronald Musagala compete at the Tokyo Olympics;

Men's 1500m Round 1 - Heat 3

Date and Time: Tue 3 Aug. (3:27 am EAT)

Venue: Olympic Stadium

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