Uganda puts hope in Mutai in Rio Olympic Games

Uganda is pinning its medal hopes at the ongoing Rio Olympic Games on marathon aces Munyo Mutai and Stephen Kiprotich.

Kiprotich, 27, will look to defend his 2012 London title in Rio while he has to be aware of the strong challenge from his younger teammate Mutai.

Sports officials in the east African country said that the 23-year old athlete has higher chances of putting up a tough competition against runners from Kenya, Eritrea and Ethiopia.

"I think Mutai has all it takes to win an Olympic medal. He has trained hard and has been improving every time," William Blick, Uganda Olympic Committee President, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Mutai, bronze medalist at last year's Beijing world championships, is confident he is up to the task.

"I now have the experience and know what to expect. I feel I have trained well and should be able to win Uganda a medal," Mutai told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Uganda sent a contingent of 21 athletes to Rio to compete in boxing, swimming and athletics.

Flagging off the team on Aug. 5, the country's President Yoweri Museveni said sports can bring fame both to the individual and the country.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, told the team that the country has hope in it.

"We are proud that you will represent the country and the fact that this year, they have sent the biggest number than before," she said.

Already with swimmer Jamila Lunkuse failing to go past the preliminary round of the 100m breaststroke and boxer Kennedy Katende losing in the light heavy weight on Sunday, 19 athletes remain chasing for Rio medals.

Uganda first won a gold medal in 1972 after the late John Akii Bua won the 400m race in the Munich Olympics.

Kiprotich was the second to win a gold medal after he claimed the 2012 London Olympic marathon title. Endit