06 August 2024 | Athletics

Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo have officially been withdrawn from the Men's 5,000m race at the Paris Olympic Games.

According to a statement from Uganda's Athletics head coach at the game Faustino Kiwa, the duo was unable to recover from the gruelling 10,000m race in which Cheptegei won gold and Kiplimo finished 8th.

"I wish to inform Ugandans that our heroes Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo have been officially withdrawn from the 5,000m race due on Wednesday 7th August 2024," the statement reads.

"This follows their failure to fully recover from the gruelling 10,000m race in which both athletes competed on Friday 2nd August 2024. The event left them fatigued with leg and arm muscle pains. Efforts by the Physio Teams to resuscitate the athletes to their full normal form has not been successful.

"The Coaching staff in consultation with the athletes, taking into consideration the coaching principle “athlete first, winning second”, decided to withdraw them from the 5,000m to give them ample time to fully recover.

"This now leaves Oscar Chelimo as the lone gallant soldier holding the Ugandan Flag in the 5,000m Race."

This will be the first time in six years for Kiplimo to depart a major championship without a medal.

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