Former world champion Halimah Nakaayi of Uganda faces an unexpected challenge in her Olympic 800m campaign after failing to automatically qualify for the semifinals at the Paris 2024 Games. Nakaayi finished fourth in her heat with a time of 2:00.51, missing the automatic qualification spots reserved for the top three finishers.
Nakaayi’s hopes now rest on the newly introduced repechage round, a second chance for athletes to qualify for the semifinals. World Athletics implemented this system for the Paris Olympics in several track events, including the 800m, to replace the previous ‘fastest loser’ qualification method.
The 29-year-old Ugandan runner, who won the world title in Doha 2019, will compete in Heat 1 of the repechage. Her competitors include Brazil’s Flavia Maria de Lima, Lithuania’s Gabija Galvydyte, Italy’s Eloisa Coiro, and Australia’s Abbey Caldwell, among others.
Nakaayi’s performance came as a surprise, given her recent form. Just months ago, she set a national record of 1:57.26 in London and was considered a serious contender for the Olympic title, especially with the absence of USA’s Athing Mu.
In her initial heat, Nakaayi finished behind Switzerland’s Rachel Pellaud (2:00.06), with Cuban Daily Cooper Gaspar winning in 1:58.88 and South Africa’s Prudence Sekgodiso taking second in 1:59.84.
The repechage round offers Nakaayi a crucial second opportunity. She will start in lane six, a more favorable position than her wide lane nine draw in the first heat. The Ugandan athlete will need to summon her championship-winning form to progress to the semifinals.
As the Paris Olympics continue, Nakaayi’s performance in the repechage will be closely watched by athletics fans, particularly those in Uganda hoping to see their former world champion advance in the competition.
