Seven Ugandan athletes qualify for 2016 Olympic Games

Uganda has already qualified seven long distance runners for the 2016 Olympic Games, a top sports official said on Wednesday.

Dominic Otuchet, President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF) told Xinhua in an interview that seven athletes have already hit Olympic Games qualifying mark for the marathon and 10,000m.

Reigning Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich is one of the athletes who have already qualified.

Otuchet said according to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), qualification for the long distance runners has already started, while the short distance runners will start qualifying in January next year.

Besides Kiprotich who won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games, 21-year-old Solomon Mutai who bagged a bronze medal in the 2015 World Championships in China has also qualified in the marathon category for the Games.

Kiprotich won gold for Uganda in 2012 in London after the country last won an Olympic gold medal in 1972 through Akii Bua.

The UAF president said this time many younger athletes will perform well and win the country medals at the Olympics.

"The younger athletes are working hard and winning several races in Europe. They are getting the exposure and maturity to perform well at the top," he said.

The Ugandan athletes who have qualified include marathon runners: Stephen Kiprotich, Solomon Mutai, Jackson Kiprop and Alex Chesakit

The 10,000 m runners include Joshua Cheptekgei, Timothy Toriotich and Moses Kibet. Endit