Police decorates Cheptegei after his Tokyo Olympics heroics
One of Uganda’s gold medalists at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Joshua Cheptegei has been decorated by the Uganda Police Force, where he is employed.
He was also promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police in reward for his stellar performance at the games.
In August 2021, Cheptegei clocked a time of 12:58:15 to win gold in the men’s 5,000m finals at the 2020 Olympics games in Tokyo, the Japanese capital.
The medal was only the fourth gold at the Olympics for Uganda since 1956.
Because of such exploits that ensured Uganda finished 36th out of 206 countries and second in Africa at the Olympics games in Tokyo, the police leadership promoted Cheptegei who was at the rank of Inspector of Police.
Cheptegei was decorated with pips indicating his new rank at a function held at the Police Headquarters in Naguru.
“We thank you for the historic win and jubilation that you brought to us. You warmed our hearts with smiles. You didn’t only give us moments to cheer about but also raised our flag high and gave us happiness,” the Inspector General of Police, John Martins Okoth Ochola said.
The police chief asked Cheptegei not only to use his talent to encourage many other youths to join sports but also to tell the youth to desist from criminality.
Assistant Inspector General of Police, Andrew Sorowen who is also in charge of sports in the force, asked Cheptegei to nurture young athletes on being disciplined and working hard.
“You must show the young ones the way forward. We don’t want you to leave behind a gap. Help nurture young ones to take over from you,” Sorowen said.
