Uganda’s double Olympian, Hon. Julius Acon Bua is among the five personalities who will be inducted into the “Olympians for Life” group.
This was confirmed by a statement from Joël Bouzou, the president, World Olympians Association (WOA).
As President of World Olympians Association, it is my pleasure to inform you that Julius Achon who participated in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games will be inducted into WOA’s Olympians for Life at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. At each edition of the games, we induct five Olympians into Olympians for Life, one from each continent.
Joël Bouzou, the president, World Olympians Association (WOA)
Olympians chosen for “Olympians for Life” have drawn on their Olympic experience to make the world a better place by promoting the Olympic Values at every stage of their lives.
Achon’s inspirational achievements, since competing at the Olympics in Athletics, show they embody the spirit and practice of Olympians for Life.
For starters, Acon took part in the Olympic Games hosted by the USA in Atlanta city (1996).
He was among Uganda’s 10 athletes at these games, taking part in the 1500 metres event where he finished with a timing of 3:43:08 in the first heat.
At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Acon still took part in the 1500 metres and qualified for the semi-finals after clocking 3:39:40 during the first heat where he was seventh.
In the semi-finals, he was 6th with a timing of 3:40:32 and narrowly missed progressing to the finals.
We will be celebrating our latest Olympians for Life with an online event during Tokyo 2020 featuring all five inductees with the participation of our Patron Prince Albert II of Monaco and IOC President Thomas Bach.
Joël Bouzou, the president, World Olympians Association (WOA)
In 1999, Acon set a national record in the 1600 metres with a timing of 3:55:38 at the TFA Pro Championships in New York, United States, a record that stood for 22 years.
Recently, Ronald Musagala broke the record with an improved timing of 3:53:04 during the Oslo Bisset Games at the fourth meeting of the 2021 Diamond League.
Acon departs the country on 23rd July and will return by August 8th 2021.
Who is Hon Acon?
Hon Acon Bua Julius was born on the 12th December 1976 and is a Pentecostal by faith.
He holds a bachelor’s Degree in science communication from the University of Phoenix, United States of America (USA).
Acon is a member of parliament for Otuke County in Otuke district on a National Resistance Movement (NRM) political party ticket.
He is a member of two sub-committees that is; committee on HIV/AIDS and other related diseases, and a committee on education and sports.
Projects initiated by Hon. Acon include; students’ scholarships, IGA, facilitating SACCO groups, seed distribution, repairing boreholes, organizing sports tournaments and a key supportive partner of the Lango Province football team in the famous FUFA Drum tourney, among others.