Back at home and among other places in the world, many duly accord Stephen Kiprotich the respect that he is Olympic champion.
The 24-year-old won the marathon on August 12, the last day of the London Olympics to earn Uganda her only seventh medal in the Games’ history.
Ever since then when he pulled away to beat Kenyan favourites Wilson Kipsang and twice world champion Abel Kirui in the latter part of the race to become only Uganda’s second Olympic gold medalist, 40 years after John Akii-Bua, there are those who still call him a ‘surprise winner’.
Most fondly Kenyans, many are yet to believe that they failed to garner both gold medals in the marathon and Kiprotich’s victory was barely expected.
Many countries had been written off but stiff competition was mainly expected from Ethiopia, Eritrea and a few other elite runners.
But after sheer hard work within shadows of many, Kiprotich ended Uganda’s 16-year Olympic medal drought in spectacular fashion.
At least our generation has something worth remembering in our own sports. Few saw the late Akii-Bua, the Cranes – runners-up at 1978 Africa Cup of Nations, legendary boxers like Ayub Kalule, John ‘The Beast’ Mugabi and so on.
It not only helped Uganda finish 50th in London but also became her first medal since sprinter Davis Kamoga’s heroics in the 400m at the Atlanta 1996 Games.
After his win, many joked on facebook and twitter whether the London Olympics Organising Committee still had the Uganda national anthem in their archives. That’s how bleak it was.
Not one can take it away that last year’s Olympic gold of the men’s 42 km race belongs to Stephen Kiprotich.
Just like Sunday at the London Marathon, many have not given him a chance against a strong field of runners including Kipsang, Kirui, Emmanuel Mutai, Martin Lel, Vincent Kipruto and world record holder Patrick Makau (2:03.59), all a bunch of Kenyans.
But Kiprotich, like last year, he only believed in himself to beat the field after advice from a few.
“Running with the top athletes in the whole world is my memory… and for me I’m very happy,” he says with focus on the finish line this Sunday.
Should he win, Kiprotich stands taking home close to Shs.400m and will surely have silenced the critics and those yet to believe his prowess.
He reached Heathrow Airport on Monday from Eldoret, Kenya. He has been training since February when he won the Granollers Half Marathon (21km) in 1 hour 1 minute and 15 seconds. It’s the fastest he has run over the distance.
“We wish him the best. He can do it,” another Ugandan runner Benjamin Kiplagat who trains with Kiprotich in Eldoret told Kawowo Sports.
LONDON MARATHON (SUNDAY, MIDDAY LIVE ON SS5)