Jackson Niyomugabo

Jackson Niyomugabo, born in 1988, hails from Kibuye in Rwanda's western region. He grew up swimming in the pristine waters of Lake Kivu on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His father passed away early in Jackson's life and he found strength from his mother who farms the family's small plot of land in the mountains above Lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu is famous for beautiful views and mountain top islands. Tourists are slowly discovering the previously little known treasure in Central Africa. Jackson Niyomugabo's humble background did not afford him opportunities for extensive professional training. He learned to swim from reading a book provided to him from a high school teacher ["Beijing's Unlikeliest Olympians", The Star, http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/458379] . Inasmuch, he built endurance and stamina by swimming between the mountain top islands in the lake and occasionally being granted permission to swim in a tourist hotel in the capital, Kigali.

Jackson Niyomugabo competed in the 2007 World Aquatics Championship in Australia, where he did not medal. He represented the Republic of Rwanda in swimming during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. ["Who is Who on Beijing Squad", The New Times, 09 August 2008, http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=13612&article=8444 ]

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