Running as equals The elite athletes fighting for acceptance

Editors Note: This story is part of As Equals, CNN’s ongoing series on gender inequality. Read more from As Equals here and read our FAQs for information about how the series is funded and more.

Even before the middle-distance runner had a coach, Negesa was qualifying for -- and winning -- major regional competitions. At 19, she would travel to Daegu in South Korea for the 2011 World Championships. After securing a top-three spot in the 800 meter and 1500 meter categories, in four international competitions, the Ugandan athlete qualified to represent her country at the 2012 London Olympics.

The following year, the young woman from Iganga, a small village in eastern Uganda, was named ‘Athlete of the Year’ by the Uganda Athletics Federation and seemed set for a life in the athletics spotlight.

That did happen -- but not in the way she had hoped. Much has been written all over the world about Negesa. Not only because of her victories on the track, but also because of what happened to her off it.

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