Burundi at the Olympics
Burundi is a landlocked country East African that is in what is referred to as the African Great Lakes. The National Olympic Committee of Burundi was established in 1990 and was recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 1993. They first showed up in the Summer Games when they sent a seven-athlete delegation to Atlanta, Georgia, USA in 1996. All of the seven athletes were runners.
Africa is known for her runners and Burundi made Olympic history as one of the few countries that took home an Olympic medal in their first time participating in the Summer Games. The team of Arthémon Hatungimana (800 meters), Charles Nkazamyampi (800 meters), Dieudonné Kwizéra (1,500 meters), Aloÿs Nizigama (men's 10,000 meters), Justine Nahimana (women's 10,000 meters) Tharcisse Gashaka (marathon), and Vénuste Niyongabo (5,000 meters) represented Burundi in the 1996 Atlanta Games. Vénuste Niyongabo took the gold in the men's 5,000 meters and thus becoming the first Olympic medalist for Burundi. Niyongabo is not just the first Olympic medalist, he is the first gold medalist that the country has ever produced.
Burundi has never missed a single participation in the Summer Games since their debut in 1996. As with many of the countries in Africa, Burundi has never set foot in the Winter Games.
Related Pages
- List of all countries that have participated at the Olympic Games.
- About sport in Burundi
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Upcoming Events