Written by Palinyang Billy Gabriel 2012-08-12 15:19:00 Read 922 Times

Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich who emerged victorius in the last day of the London 2012 Olympic Marathon ahead of Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang of Kenya. [Photo | Courtesy | getty images | BBC]

Kenya's golden moment became a mirage after Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich won the gold medal in the Olympic marathon finishing in 2.08:01 the final day of London 2012 on Sunday.

Abel Kirui if Kenya was second in 2:08:27 and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich of Kenya was third in 2:09.37.

Meb Keflezighi of the USA rallied late to finish fourth in 2:11:06.

Stephen Kiprotich gave Uganda its first gold medal after a 40 years quest in the marathon. Speaking to BBC, Kiprotich said,

"It means a lot. Since 1972 we have never won a gold medal, so they are very happy."

Before his Sunday victory, Stephen Kiprotich was ninth in the marathon at the world championship in Daegu last year.

Kenya’s two-time world champion Abel Kirui hoped add an Olympic marathon gold to his wins at the 2009 and 2011 world championships however, he could not manage to meet the pace of Kiprotich after he broke away.

The Kenyans can also count on the 2012 London marathon winner Wilson Kipsang, hugely impressive when winning in the British capital in April.

London will hand over to RIO 2016 Games and the Olympic flame extinguished to mark the end of this year’s Olympics.

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