There was no medal, never mind the colour, for team Uganda in the Marathon on the last day of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Kenyan and World Record Holder Eliud Kipchoge put in a last 5km kick to defend his title in a time of two hours, eight minutes and 38 seconds.
Abdi Nageeye of Netherlands took silver (2:09:58) while Bashir Abdi of Belgium claimed bronze (2:10:00) to deny Lawrence Cherono (Kenya) a place on the podium.
Uganda’s Fred Musobo finished 45th in a time of 2:18:39, Felix Chemonges came in 51st place (2:20:53) while Stephen Kiprotich did not finish in a Marathon where athletes battled hot and humid conditions.
Kiprotich, a gold medal win at the 2012 Olympics, dropped from the leading pack after 8km and later bowed out before the 12km mark.
Its Musobo who had the leaders in sight but he was 36th at midpoint, 19 seconds behind.
The Marathon was moved from Tokyo to Sapporo Odori Park as the organisers tried to beat the sweltering heat in the Japanese capital.
However, it was all in vain as the athletes endured hot temperatures of 26C.
Consequently, 30 athletes including Kenyan Amos Kipruto who won the bronze medal in the men’s marathon at the 2019 World Championships, did not finish!
Ethiopian trio of Shura Kitata who beat Kipchoge in London Marathon, World Champion Lelisa Desisa and Sisay Lemma who was third in London Marathon all did not finish!
Brazil’s Daniel Do Nascimento who led for some good period, stopped, lied down, ran again before wobbling back to the ground in pain as he dropped out.
Uganda leaves Tokyo with four medals including two golds won by Joshua Cheptegei (5000m) and Peruth Chemutai (3000m steeplechase). Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo won silver and bronze respectively in the 10,000m.
