- Pamela Girimbabazi
Pamela Girimbabazi Rugabira [ [http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/gi/pamela-girimbabazi-rugabira-1.html "Pamela Girimbabazi Rugabira"] , Sports Reference] , born January 10, 1985 [ [http://www.lequipe.fr/Jo/JoFicheAthlete16319.html "Pamela Girimbabazi"] , "L'Equipe"] , is a
Rwanda nswimmer andlaw student .She represented Rwanda at the Olympic Games in 2000, 2004 and 2008. During that time, she "never had a formal swim lesson or regular coach". [ [http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/458379 "Beijing's unlikeliest Olympians"] , "The Star", July 11, 2008] She was disqualified during the Sydney Games due to technical rules that she was unaware of, and subsequently taught herself the rules by consulting the Internet. Later, she also taught herself from a book about swimming belonging to fellow Rwandan swimmer
Jackson Niyomugabo . She trained in a hotel pool 25 metres in length. Her personal best in the 50 metre freestyle prior to the Beijing Olympics was 35 seconds. [ [http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/458379 "Beijing's unlikeliest Olympians"] , "The Star", July 11, 2008] She failed to improve on that time in Beijing, finishing third out of four in her heat, and 88th overall [ [http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?article72686 "Rwanda’s Olympic medal hopes diminish as two of its swimmers go out"] , Agence de Presse Africaine, August 15, 2008] , with a time of 39:78. [ [http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=13624&article=8759 "Two down, two to go as swimmers fail in Beijing"] , "The New Times", August 16, 2008]Girimbabazi has been described as a "minor celebrity" and "an icon of pure sport spirit, an athlete who competes for the love of the game, not for the thrill of victory or the fame and riches that might follow". [ [http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/458379 "Beijing's unlikeliest Olympians"] , "The Star", July 11, 2008]
Times at the Olympics
* Sydney 2000, 100 metre breaststroke - DSQ
* Athens 2004, 100 metre breaststroke - 1:50.39 (48th)
* Beijing 2008, 50m freestyle - 39:78 (88th)External link
* [http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BIO/Athlete/7/8002127.shtml Biography] on the official website of the Beijing Olympics
References
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