Uganda secures first women’s Olympic gold medal

Uganda’s Peruth Chemutai won gold in the 3,000m steeplechase at Tokyo 2020 to become the first ever woman from the country to win an Olympic gold medal.

She made this piece of history with a time on 9:01.45, beating Team USA’s Courtney Frerichs and Kenya’s Hyvin Kiyeng.

“I am feeling great. Today I made it. It is the first time Uganda gets the gold medal in 3,000m steeplechase. I am so happy to be an Olympic champion,” the 22-year-old said.

“I thought about going in the front of the race, but the American girl (Frerichs) came in front. With 500m [remaining], I just decided to go, and I went hard until the finish,” Chemutai said.

“I definitely ran the kick out of my own legs,” said Frerichs of making the decision to go out early. “I was obviously hoping to hold on for the win but I’m super happy about it and have no regrets.”