The International Athletics governing body, IAAF has inducted Ugandan sports legend John Akii-Bua into it’s Hall of fame in recognition of his great contribution to Athletics as a sport ahead of the 2012 Olympics to be held in London. The recognition was done through the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA), the continent’s Athletics governing body.
The Ugandan is most remembered for romping to victory at the Munich Olympic games in 1972 when he set a world record time then of 47.82 seconds in the 400m hurdles. Recognised as arguably the greatest sports personality off all time in Uganda, he brought the sport to the lime light and the name Akii-Bua is synonymous with athletics.
The Lira born athlete holds the record for being the only track and field gold medal winner that the country has ever produced at the olympic games. John Akii-Bua, a police officer at the time of his victory was born in 1949 and passed away in 1997, 15 years back but his legacy is still intact.
JOHN AKII-BUA FACTFILE:
Born 3rd/Dec/1949. Died 20th/June/1997.
Honours:
Gold Medalist at Munich Olympic Games 1972.
Gold medal winner at the All Africa Games in Lagos 1973.
Silver Medalist at the 1978 All Africa Games in Algiers.
May His Soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
